Terry-last seen in 1952

I met Terry some 40 years after he served our country.  A devout Christian, I found his take on the world, from his point of view, very interesting.  And how he perceived things, for you see, he was blinded in the Korean Conflict, and the last memories, his last views of the world were in 1952.  Mention cars to him, he thought Kaisers and Fraziers, Nashes and Hudsons, chopped hot rods, and Barris Kustoms.  He may have ridden in a Mustang at some time, but never saw one.  Never saw an over head valve Ford V8. Never saw an Edsel, or a Corvette.  Japanese brands like Honda, Nissan, Datsun, Toyota, and Mazda were well after his loss of sight.  He could only listen to the car ads on TV and imagine what they looked like, he might feel and smell fine Corinthian leather, but never saw it.  Every car, every house, every fashion, every motorcycle, and all fast food was like 1952 to him in his mind.  Blind before McDonalds, he could only imagine what Ronald looked like, how Elvis was the pelvis, what was moon walking, and had no idea what a hippie looked like.  He never saw a Beatle haircut, never saw a 3-D movie, and could only imagine what a modern kitchen of today was like.  His vision of the world died in 1952, and for 40 years, all his memories would be based on what it looked like then, comparing what he was told to then.  It didn’t matter how you described today, he only had the views of yesterday to envision it.  Except for Harley Davidson...

An old story tells of the blind men meeting an elephant, and trying to describe it.  The first feeling his nose, said “it must be like a snake.”  The second touching its side said “it must be big like a wall.”  And the third, touching its foot, stated “it must be big like tree stump.”  All three right in their responses, all three describing the same elephant.  But each without benefit of the whole elephant.  A lot of people, Christians included view Jesus like that.  The Bible tells us that we only see in part, but someday we will see in fullness.  That fullness is offered to us today, but for some reason we reject or neglect it.  Much easier to come under the control of a religion or denomination.  To only know what the pastor or teacher tells us.  Don’t ask questions, don’t question our views.  And in many ways are more blind than Terry of how they see the world and Jesus.  Terry has been dependent on help from others after his blindness, yet we fall short in our spiritual blindness, not seeing how the spirit instructs or guides.  In many ways we need more than just being taught, just being a part of passive participation, we need the fullness of Christ in our lives daily.  Yet many only see apart of him like the blind men with the elephant.  He is a great teacher, and they stop there.  He might have been a prophet, and end there.  He might have performed miracles, but they stopped too.  He died, and his tomb was empty, but what about his resurrection?  Religion will only give us a part of Jesus, it takes the spirit to reveal the mysteries of him, and to show who he is, the true and only son of God, God incarnate, and our only redeemer.  Unless you see that part of Jesus, you miss heaven, and all the other things are good, but won’t get you there.  Maybe being set free or saved is as simple as the quote of the man Jesus gave his sight to.  “I don’t if he is good or bad, all I know is I was blind and now I see.”  A simple portrayal of the gospel, an opening of our spiritual eyes to the truth.  Yet many Christians today lead a Christian life using a cane, blinded by not fully knowing Jesus or who he is.  And we are all guilty of it from time to time.

Job in his worst hour of testing could still say “I know my redeemer lives.”  He knew the character of God, and it went way beyond what he could see and feel.  It was a deeper sense, only revealed by the holy spirit, knowing that whatever he encountered on earth, God would make it better someday in heaven.  Can we say the same thing?  Do our actions portray a loving and living God in our adversity?  How we see Jesus will dictate how we live for him.  Job looked forward to seeing God, and knew he would.  He knew what he was expecting, but in the end, god provided so much more.  He offered him insight and the source of all meaning and power, via his spirit.  In the darkest hour, he knew his redeemer lived.  How many of us see life through his eyes, but have no hope?  Believing is seeing, not the other way around. 

So I know someday Terry and all who suffered but claimed Jesus as their savior will truly see him someday.  His world of 1952 will suddenly be a heavenly paradise, and like scripture promises, “eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor mind imagined the kingdom of God,”  whatever he has imagined heaven to be, it will be much better.  A promise for us also, so how do you see Jesus?  Maybe a quick trip to the cross will help.  Is the cross empty or is he still on it?  Is he still suffering or is he resurrected?  Is he alive or dead?  Maybe it is like the angel said, “he is not here, just like he said.” 

So at car shows when I see any car 1952 or older, I think of how Terry remembers his world.  But also how he sees his future.  Spiritually he was once blind, like we are were, but now he sees.  If only we all had the spiritual eyesight that is offered, how we would see things truthfully.  But for now, we only look into a mirror darkly.....but let the spirit open your eyes to the reality of Jesus.  To be in the kingdom is to belong to God, on earth as it is in heaven.  If only we could see what God sees....and how he sees it.  How you see God will make all the difference.  The word blind is mentioned 82 times in King James Version, Jesus himself warns the church in Revelation 3 that we are blind, and don’t know it.  The question is, do you?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

"ladies and gentlemen, The Beetles...."

When the VW Beetle finally passed away, breathing its last breath of Mexican air, no one seemed to care except the millions who had related to it over the 70 years it clogged up traffic on earth.  Personally I never cared for the car, or the Type 2 vans/buses, or other variations of it.  Even the cool looking Karmann Ghia was suffered by no motor, so what if they last forever but it takes forever to get there?  So here are a few of my memories of the Beetle, seems even those not fond of it were touched by it, even if it was following one at 45 in the fast lane.

My Dad had a 1963 blue one, bought used.  He even let me put my Honest Charlie’s Speed Shop decal on one window.  But my main memory was one day getting gas with him at a Sunoco, paying 23.9/gallon.  Just across from him was a new C3 Vette filling up with 260 at 32.9/gallon.  His comment, “how can that guy afford to fill that thing up?”  Buy the Vette Dad, I’ll pay the dime from my paper route.

When Theresa moved east to New Mexico, I flew to LA, and we drove back in her 1976 Beetle.  Slow and noisy, remember I was used to motorcycles, it seemed it was made for the 55 mph speed limit, that’s all it would do, except over the passes.  But we made it, and shortly after traded it along with my 1967 Sedan DeVille for a new 1978 Rabbit, my third.  Our first new car together, but without the Beetle to trade, we could not have done it.  Seems I underestimated the value of it and what I got in return.  And the new Rabbit too.

But that was my third Rabbit, the second one a story in itself, but the first one when they first came out to replace the aging Beetle.  But it always ran bad, so bad it spent most of the six months I owned it at the shop, and I was given a new Beetle as a loaner.  I was thankful for the loaner, but if I had wanted a Beetle I would have bought one.  Sold that Rabbit with no air to a kid who had just been accepted to the University of Arizona.  I wonder if it or him ever made it?

But my middle Rabbit was bought when I moved to Albuquerque, a basic Rabbit, with nothing, even the door panels were cardboard.  But I needed a car, got taken quite a bit on it, but it turned out to be a blessing.  When Bob wanted to go back to Chicago and share his new life in Christ with his old dealer friends, I let him borrow it.  Which he totaled when they turned on him, chasing him the wrong way down a one way street.   When the insurance company looked for a used 1976 for comparison, all they could find was one loaded up, and I got a check for over $1000 more than I paid for the Basic Rabbit.  Lots of lessons learned other than never loan Bob your car, and no, I didn’t buy a Beetle.  So I guess without thinking about it, maybe the VW Beetle played a small part in my life, and sadly it was always the car that led to a better one on my next purchase.  But the best thing is I got Theresa as part of the deal, and 42 years later, no talk of trade for a newer model.  As she goes to work in her 2015 Mustang convertible....

Jesus tells us “come unto me you who are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”  Many times I find my own lack of sleep is from not getting my own way or not trusting God.  Seems there is always something to tempt me, to want to go faster, quicker, to be the coolest on the block.  A self created heavy laden, but Jesus is equipped to remove that burden.  I look back at my Beetle memories, and each one led to a better memory.  My Dad traded his VW for a 1969 BMW 1600, which I bought used from him, no VW no BMW, he used to drive Ramblers.  No Beetle from Theresa, no New Mexico marriage, and no new Rabbit, which served us when living at 8300’ in Colorado, it started every morning even at –42 degrees.  Traded for a 1982 Mazda 626 when we started our family.  And of course when Bob totaled my Basic one, only God knew what lied ahead, I had and still have no idea.  But I have learned, and still learning to lean on him, to take his yoke for it is easy, to let him give me rest.  I never want him to tell me “why do you call me Lord but don’t listen to me?”  And with all the cool cars and motorcycles out there, I too struggle with “being glad for what you have,” for my reward is in heaven, and can be enjoyed now, as Jesus reminded us “on earth as it is in heaven.”  Just no Beetles I hope.....but if there are...

But one theme constantly stays with me, no matter how you go in life, there is always something faster, prettier, more expensive, and more desirable.  Except Jesus, for in him I found all I need, and really all I desire.  I have trusted him with motorcycle and car purchases that seemed to not work out, but showed me patience when they did.  I passed on marrying two other women, came pretty close, until I met Theresa.  And today I can look forward to tomorrow because of how he impacted my past.  So as I watch old microbuses go for over $100,000 fulfilling someone’s dream, when I see old Beetles all over in So Cal, and when I see men my age trying to recapture their youth, I look ahead.  While some still look for God via religion, drugs, or wealth, only to find those things own them, I find peace and life in Christ.  So maybe consider taking Jesus along the next time you go car buying, or see a bike you cannot live without-again, for he is the best deal maker.  He goes beyond a FICO score, any discounts, and even the turkeys I have spent too much on, he was there to help me back on my feet, or on two wheels again.  So if a Beetle is part of your legacy, it’s OK.  But if Jesus isn’t, it’s not, but not too late.  That burden you have, no matter what, he can carry for  you and  ease the pain.  Many cars entered my life and left much differently.  When Jesus enters your life, he wants you to not stay the same way, but still loves you the way you are.  Can any of your old cars say the same....

And for those of you who struggle with faith, in those times when he seems to not be there, he is listening, not forcing himself on you.  The spirit comforting you through it.  So don’t confuse delay with acceptance of your prayer, he never hurries and was never late.  Just like your old Beetle.....it may take a while, so enjoy the ride while you can.  With a reminder to all you biker types, remember putting a VW motor in a Harley frame......does that mean a VW is faster than a Harley?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

flipping motorcycles

After completing my first million mile motorcycle road test, I find things have changed since my first time throwing a leg over a ride.  I have learned a lot, seen a lot, forgot a lot, and still have much to learn, and experience.  I have seen fast riders go fast on slow bikes, I have seen slow riders go slow on fast bikes.  I have worn off peg feelers on cruisers, and left chicken strips on race bikes.  I have ridden 100 miles in one hour twice, gone coast to coast in under 70 hours, and ridden in hurricanes, snow and ice, floods, and high winds.  I have been into the rev limiter at 155 mph, thought I was fast at 131 until the same bike next  to me went 148.  I got 116 out of third gear on a Daytona 675, beating Kenny by two miles per hour, and saw Mick get 126 out of the same bike when tuned properly.  I have come to respect both bikes and bikers, speed and lack of it, and to avoid crowd rides.  But I must confess to one weakness that I still have not overcome, and may not ever.  Fear of flipping over when leaving a light too fast.  I have never been much of a one to wheelie because of that, and have only done stoppies when in a must do situation.  The fear of the bike going over backwards under full throttle in first gear has humbled me many times in a stoplight showdown, but have no fear opening it up in second or third, even on my new Street Triple R.  I thought it was me....but after reading a Cycle World article from July of 2003 I feel better, much better.  And find my fears are well based...and also my cautions.  And fears.

Paul Dean in answering a question about more power today than in the past, but not faster times, appealed to me.  He had been around forever then still is now, and should know.  His comment stuck with me, seems I knew it all along, just an ego stepping in my way.  “All the more power makes new bikes more wheelie prone,” he writes, “most current performance bikes accelerate more rapidly than the older ones once they get into second or third gear, but rarely can a rider achieve and maintain full throttle in low gear.”  Whew, now I feel better.  Sounds like me, and for once, being normal has a good feeling to it.  Seems my fear of flipping motorcycles is not uncommon, and I still can get a rush out of second and third gear full throttle.  And for some reason, when the front end gets light in those gears I have no fear.  My million mile dilemma solved....now I think a road test for my second million is called for.....

Truth be told, riders have not kept up with the speed capabilities of motorcycles.  Which may explain all the broken plastic on sport bikes, the bruised baggers, and missing fairings.  It all comes down to the control of the wrist, and some egos are bigger than the talent twisting them.  A relationship between brain and wrist, some 30 inches of possible failure or exhilerating success.  It takes trust from a relationship, knowing what you and both the bike can do, depending on each other.  A trust that only comes from doing, not from reading about it.  It seems riding and a relationship with God share much in this area.  Just ask one Nicodemus for instance.....

That first night when he met with Jesus in the garden, he may not have known it was the holy spirit drawing him to Jesus.  That all of his curiousity was spirit based, although he only saw the physical in Jesus’ responses.  But in the twenty chapters from the garden to the tomb, inspired by the spirit, he risked it all to claim the body of Jesus.  His position, wealth, power, prestige, and position would all be challenged, it came down to trusting in what he could not see, rather than in what he could.  Up until that time his religion was all based on laws, making it impersonal, now he was getting to see first hand how personal a relationship with God could be, and why God sent Jesus to restore it.  It wasn’t knowledge or tradition, nothing that man could promise that changed him.  It was the holy spirit, taking him to a point where he either trusted fully or denied fully.  One twist of the spiritual throttle away from hell, or heaven.

Years ago a man who was much smarter than me asked me to pray for him,he had a decision to make.  My answer surprised him when I told him I wouldn’t, and that God had already told him the right thing to do, he just didn’t want to.  Much like people today shop their problem until the easiest answer, or best excuse for their sin is found.  But when done without the spiritual guidance from Jesus, there will always be the fear of flipping out, and over.  Just like some riders who are all show and no go, it can happen to Christians too.  The battle of the heart, the 18 inches between head and heart testing our faith.  Which is trusting in the unseen....sometimes when there is no evidence of God at all.  But the spirit is always present.

Today you can experience Jesus first hand like Nicky did, or still cling to the rhetoric of religion.  You can open up the throttle with no fear of flipping, or never know the rush that comes when you do it correctly.  Scripture calls it power under control, meekness.  So if you ride and believe, no matte how many miles or church meetings, it can still get better.  And next time asked “what’ll she do?” remember what Jesus has done, and is still doing.  Speed doesn’t kill, a barrier stopping you will.  Let no barriers get between you and Jesus, Nicky claimed the body of Jesus with Joseph, what claims do we make on Jesus?  Something to remember the next time sharing communion.  Is that all we do in remembrance of him? 

A million miles and still learning.  And trusting.....Jesus and motorcycles, it just don’t get any better!

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

in search of the round yon virgin

Christmas was always a big deal at our house when I was growing up.  Lots of food and presents with my Grandparents coming down to spend the night.  We had just moved into our new house in suburbia, and the thing to do was have Santa come and visit.  Not quite six, but going on 16, when the bell rang and the door opened and Santa Claus himself was there, it was a big deal.  I went along with it although I had a sneaking suspicion it wasn’t really Santa, but Mr. Howarth our next door neighbor.  I had a few things going for me, one Mr. Howarth was tall and had two different colored eyes like this Santa, he smelled of asphalt, he owned a paving company next door, and I was always looking at the dump trucks and tractors, but the dead give away was his shoes, covered with tar.  But I went along with it, until he was gone, then telling my parents my suspicions.  They thought I was so smart and clever, but I didn’t push it too far, I didn’t want to take any chances not getting the presents that Christmas meant to me.  I may have wavered in my belief in Santa, but I would cling to the concept, just in case I was wrong about him.

It was popular in school to learn about Jesus and the real Christmas story.  We never got into the background, just what the songs said, born in a manger, to a virgin, whatever that was, wondered if anyone had ever seen a round young virgin, and all about the three wise men.  Later I would learn a manger was a feeding trough, swaddling clothes were really strips used in burials, and there weren’t three wise men, no number is mentioned.  But the story of Jesus being born stuck with me, and if it meant more toys, I was willing to hang with the concept...just in case.....

But in junior high after being out till 10 pm with friends on Christmas Eve, any doubt about Santa was confirmed with a note on the door.  Seems they all went to bed early, and left me a note, stating Santa had left the presents in the closet, would I please put them under the tree.  Which also confirmed my doubt in the chimney concept, as we had no fireplace, so no chimney for him to come down.  Most likely as always Grandma and Grandpa were the Clauses, but being a Santa’s helper wasn’t so bad, after all it meant presents, so I once again clung to the concept.  Just in case....the closet was handy for him.

But it was after becoming a Christian that Christmas became real to me.  My first Christmas after being saved and moving to Albuquerque with John.  And the four of us going to California for Christmas, until Mr. Hansch died  unexpectedly, and the trip was cancelled.  The others were able to get flights at the last minute, I couldn’t, so spent my first real Christmas alone, just me and Jesus.  No tree, no presents, just a silent night and the same the next day.  But it was special to me, as the concept of Jesus being real became more real.  I saw past the toys and saw the gift God gave that day.  I never told my family as they would have worried, I will admit to missing Christmas morning and the excitement, but it was like having been one of the wise men that night.  Christmas became personal, and all doubts about him became true to me.  A dinner at Burger King on Christmas Day should have been a bummer, but I was filled with joy.  The concept of Jesus being the reason for Christmas had become real, and instead of wanting to receive gifts, I wanted to give.  Just as God did, setting the precedent of being a cheerful giver, and how it is more blessed to give than receive.  Only Jesus can do that for you...no matter how old a kid you are.

Now there are many stories, tales, legends, and philosophies about where did Santa Claus originate.  I like the one I read recently, about a man named Nick, who when he heard a family didn’t have food or the things they needed, he threw a bag of gold coins into their window one night and ran off.  Later when the town discovered it was him, the legend was born.  It wasn’t until 1934 that Santa had no personality, it was Coca Cola in an ad that gave us the Santa we know today.  Who would have thought a soft drink would be involved as a major part of who he is?  So today we give gifts at Christmas, and to many throughout the year, you see Christmas comes but once a year, Jesus Christ is in our lives daily.  Our giving reflects how God gave his only son, and we do it in love.  Yes we still have the tree, we tell the young ones about Santa, but we also tell them about Jesus.  You see Jesus is the real reason for the season.  Imagine that he never came into the world, and we would have no Christmas, no day of Christ.  Maybe when we look at it that way, it can mean more than shopping, and buying things for those we don’t like but want to impress, with money we don’t have.  Today wise men still seek him, I still haven’t found what out what a round yon virgin is, but I still cling to the concept of giving gifts.  Just in case....And if you really want to make me a believer, I’ll leave the window open on Christmas Eve.  Just in case that bag of gold is on your shopping list....

For maybe the Grinch was right, it isn’t about toys from the store, for Christmas is really much more.  At least to me.....Merry Christmas to all!  I rest my case.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com