playing by the rules

 Growing up on the on the old side of Algonquin Drive meant different rules for playing sports.  Although we had Brookside Park a half mile away, it was the age of street football, kickball, and wiffle ball, and riding to the park only cut into play time.  With different parts of the street best suited for each sport.  Football was played by my house, using trees, fences, and driveways for first down markers, as in “first down is at the end of the fence.”  Add in potholes, no curbs, overhead wires and age old trees with big branches to interfere, it truly took some skill to play the game there.  But kick ball took us up the street, in the new development with smooth roads for pitching, no trees to hang up long kicks, and manhole and storm drains for bases.  A long run to first base, made for a shorter run to second and the third, and along way home again.  But at the end of the street a circle was our stadium, the circle,  and any kicks onto the grass were home runs, a difficult feat, made more difficult by depending on which ball you used.  And keeping the ball between the telephone pole and Richie’s back yard.  But that was the rules....further discussed over a Good Humor ice cream bar.

Wiffle ball caught on for awhile, then got very competitive.  We came up with our own version that could be played with only two of us, with each hit landing in a spot designated a single, double, triple, or home run.  Catching a grounder or fly ball was an official out, as we called our rules, with Scottie’s back yard the flattest and most wide open.  No fences in our neighborhoods, wide open space to cut through certain yards making for good playing fields.  Which also made for great tackle football fields, when Nutty Kenny’s yard was added in.  All with their own set of rules, and when in doubt, you could always call “ do over.”  It was good time playing at its best, coming home late after being called for dinner six times, and when you finally couldn’t see and the street lights came on, calling it quits and arguing over who really won because they missed that last turn up.  Rules for our neighborhood, and only a few blocks away, another completely different set of rules, all based on whose house, whose street, whose ball, and where the trees and cars happened to be.  With all games played without instant replay......

Another part of growing up was religious training, aka Sunday school.  Where Catholics worshipped differently than us Baptists, who were different than the Presbyterians, and quite honestly even with a large Jewish population, none of us understood them.  Just at age 13 the boys had a party.  But it seems religion was based on where you went to church more than if you did, and like our different rules for each sport venue, it only seemed natural for churches to be the same.  We knew the stories of Jesus, at least the Christmas and Easter ones, but for some reason the churches were more defined by the building and their different interpretations of the Bible.  It was tough enough being a kid let alone trying to keep up with all the denominational differences.  When my friend Nick’s mother died, I had never been to a Catholic service, so my friend Nippy told me to just do like he did, suddenly I was religious, with a fake act covering up the sadness I felt for Nick.  It was only when I got saved and met Jesus face to face was I able to escape the ruinous practices of religion, and understand true mercy and grace.  But trying to explain my new found freedom only made me an outcast among the churched folk....knowing Jesus made me an outcast among them.  How could that be....weren’t we all serving the same God?  Too bad he was painted as so many different men in so many different denominations.  It as easier to keep up with the rules for kickball!

But it took seeing myself in the greatness of God, to see his truth versus the confusion of religion to know Jesus.  It took knowing I was a sinner, and repenting, not just saying some rote prayers depending upon the date.  It took the truth upsetting tradition and opinion to set me free.  I was to learn Jesus tells us what comes out of us is m ore important than what goes in, and that God was not my enemy, nor were the churches, only their confusing doctrines that strayed from the truth.  How could there be so many different doctrines but only one God?  But in Jesus the truth was to set me free, and now I had truthful answers, not denominational ones.  I didn’t have to ask the rules, now it was about love.  I had been set free from religion, and I liked it.  Alot.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, who have nothing who recognize they have nothing within themselves that can save them, for theirs is the kingdom of God.  Rules cannot get us saved, nor can denominational differences.  Only by the spirit pointing us to Jesus do we recognize our sin and want to turn from it.  The rules were all the same for salvation and Jesus was the way.  No do overs when we got caught sinning, just forgiveness.  No dodging cars or making up the rules as we go, now we had the firm foundation in Christ we needed, where even the kid stuck in right field, or who couldn’t kick or catch had a chance for heaven.  Jesus changed all the rules, before it was up to us, and all about us, now it was up to Jesus, and all about him.  And what a relief that is!  The abundant life Jesus promises being more than the things we desire, all with a peace that cannot be described, just you and Jesus.  The ultimate team mate. 

As kids we spent more time picking up teams for sports than anything else.  Who was on your team could insure victory or defeat.  And you never wanted to be the last one chosen.  Jesus looks beyond your talent, looks, money, and neighborhood and chooses you as you are.  The last chosen kid for kickball will be first ahead of the most talented, in Christ.  So maybe where we worship, how we worship, and the dogma of the church is important.  Use the criteria of Jesus first.  Then let him lead you.  Not into temptation, but able to deliver us from evil.  Some of the hardest played games were played on the street, but compare in now way to the battle for your soul.  Why not choose Jesus and early the game early on.  Live by grace, not by the rules.  The rules only made the game harder to play, and robbed us of fun.  Don’t let religion do the same.  We play for fun and we play to win.  Funny how only the loser wanted to take his ball and go home....but never the winners.  We wanted to keep on playing.  And so it is with Jesus....let the games begin and continue, the end of the fence may mean a first down, knowing Jesus will never let you down is far better.  No losers in Christ.  And when he went home he didn’t take the ball, he took us with him.  Now that’s a victory we all can understand!

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25bker.blogspot.com

 

shopping for horsepower

Power!  In the form of horsepower is something readily available if you have the cash, the rich relative, or the FICO score to afford it.  There are many ways to go shopping for it, both two and four wheels, but the car guys will complain that the bikes have a price advantage, and the bike guys will argue about a size difference.  So what is a fair common denominator.....when all else is said and done, how about dollar per horsepower.  Let’s see how this levels the playing field.....

Using MSRP, not what can be bought at a discount or with added ADM, Haggerty Insurance claims $837 dollars per horsepower of their insured, the average no matter the actual cost of the car.  Sounds high, but look at the bargains to be had.  A 2009 Saleen S7Twin Turbo can be had for only $733/hp, a bargain at $550,000.  A Mercedes Benz McLaren vintage 2010 a bargain at $202,000 or $327/hp.  Feeling like a bargain hunter, how about a Ferrari 599GTB for only $206/hp, or $126,000.  Prefer buying American, how about a Dodge Challenger Demon SRT for $119/hp, or $100,000?  Go MOPAR.  Got room for a ten year old Vette at $86/hp?  Only $55,000.  Go Bowtie at $55/hp, or $32,000, for a 2015 Camaro ZL1. Less than most SUV’s.  Still interested?  But what if you ride.....

My Street Triple was $95/hp.  My Bonneville was $151.25/hp.  What about smaller bikes?  A 10 year old Suzuki SV650 for $44/hp.  A Yamaha FZ07 for $107/hp, while its bigger brother, the 09 is only $78/hp.   But what about a Sportster...at only $179/hp.  OOPS....or an overall average of $100/hp, is it above or below average?  As the kid on his 250cc scooter honks so you move over and let him pass....Seems maybe the playing field isn’t what we thought it to be after all, so much for the old “how fast do you want to go?  How much money do you have?”  But yet a new GSXS 1000 offers you a 144hp bargain for only $69/hp at MSRP, I see these discounted all the time to about $59/hp.  But who but the nerdy buy on price, and who but the gear head buys on power?  Isn’t there an intangible that unites us all who ride?  And some who drive.....It seems there is more to buying a vehicle than the power it makes or the price we pay, it is how it makes us feel, the moment we sit behind the wheel or throw a leg over the seat.  It is how we look on it and the overall balance of it that make us feel the way we do.  And then we open the throttle WFO and nothing else matters....and the thrill of the ride is what counts the most.

There is a certain thrill to knowing Jesus that cannot be measured by any criteria.  Power, no one has more.  Availability, 24/7.  Uniqueness, he was begotten.  Reliability, 100%.  And he will fit in any sized heart, next to the Hayabusa and Cobra GT.  But with all three sharing a common denominator, no power is found until you access them, until you turn on the car or turn onto Jesus.  But power can become an addiction, and I know guys who have to have the most power to be the fastest, just as I know those who must brag on Jesus for what he can do.  For them.  But God warns us about power, and that of all his qualities, there is one that overcomes them all.  Meekness, or power under control, part of the fruit of the spirit.  And so while some brag on riches, knowledge, or who they are or who they know, God refers us to his holy spirit.  “Not by might, not by power, but by my spirit,” says the Lord of hosts.  Adding that the things that are seen are temporal, the things not seen are eternal.  Look around your garage, compared to a few years ago, how the vehicles have come and gone.  Now turn to Jesus, the same yesterday, today, and forever.  God got it right the first time, no model year changes needed, only a change in us.  Yet we who have faith only truly believe by what we see....so much for saying we walk by faith, even upon acceleration we can feel the horsepower, but how do we feel or express the power of God via his spirit?

Love.  The commandment Jesus left us with.  Love God first, then yourself, and then love others as you do yourself.  We tend to treat others as we feel about ourselves, look it up in the Bible.  How many times are we guilty as not charged by neglecting to just love instead of critique?  Every man made system has the power to compare, but who do you or who can you compare Jesus to?  Know anyone else who loves you as you are?  Would die voluntarily for you?  Put up with all your crap and lies and religion, and still loves you?  My friends, there is power, then there is the power of love via the holy spirit.  Jesus knew we couldn’t do it alone, so he left his spirit to guide.  To assist, to be a comforter.  You want power, you need the holy spirit. 

Still seeking more power and love?  Give it up to Jesus.  Confess your sins and needs to him, for your sake, he already knows them.  Let him have them, release the tether strap, and go riding.  No matter the power, if tied down you don’t get very far.  And when you do you find a peace that surpasses understanding or a dyno chart.  That you want to share with others, because Jesus has shared with you.  True love demands a verdict that must be passed on.  On any dyno, no one will ever surpass the greatness of God and his power and love.  It must be practiced, it must be passed on, not over.  Still stuck in denominational dogma or religion, you are paying too much and not getting enough Jesus.  In our weakness, his strength is made perfect.  Only in Jesus do we find all we need, and then will find all we desire.

Lots of bargains out there promising deals, both on power and religion.  The deals change, Jesus never does.  Seek him first, then all things will be added unto you.  Will be.  Shopping for horsepower, don’t shop for Jesus the same way.  Long before Amazon he delivered overnight.  And if his power isn’t enough, there is a real deal out there for only $6.14/hp.  Available via our federal government.  All you need is a garage big enough and the $682 million the Saturn V booster costs.  Not to be confused with the old GM Saturn....it too was a different type of car company.  Gone today.  While Jesus waits patiently for your answer....Jesus still saves, and even at today’s prices that’s still a bargain!

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

a change in riding plans

I was about to realize a long time dream of mine, picking up a motorcycle in a distant location, and the riding it home.  But what bike, and from where?  With spring in full bloom in California, but frost still hanging on north of here, it limited my choices, which would eventually include Washington state, one not on my original radar.  Giving me about a 1500 mile radius from So Cal, and a four day ride back.  From Albuquerque to Denver to Seattle, I looked.  But which bike?  I finally narrowed it down to two, from several bikes from the seventies.  A Suzuki GS1000, or a Kawasaki Z-1.  And both must be as original as possible.  Simple right...until I remembered the first thing we did was add a pipe and low bars.  But I held fast to my dream, and found a 1978 GS100E, the upgraded model, outside of Seattle at a dealer.  With only 20,000 miles, and restored using original parts, it was a garage find, and didn’t need much.  Talking with the parts manager he told me he was pleasantly surprised by all the parts available, down to the handlebars with the Suzuki part number stamped on them.  So after being picked up at the airport, and doing the paperwork, seems Washington gives up nothing in stupid forms to California, I was off.  Full on choke, sunny day, into the traffic jam from Seattle to Tacoma.   Not in my plan, nor was the speedo cable breaking soon afterwards, but knowing 4000 rpm was 64 mph, 80 was easy 5000 rpm figure and once out of the area, I cruised comfortably a that speed.  And ready for bed my first night out in Albany, Oregon.

Now a lot can go wrong with a 42 year old bike, especially ridden by a 56 year old body, but ride it I did, with the 400 miles of freeway riding I had planned passing so quick, I kept going and going and going. Finally doing the ride in two days, over 1400 miles and three states, about the same time frame I travelled on my new bikes.  Along the way I stopped at dealers who all admired my bike, questioned the timing on my ride, but all who would jump at the chance if available.  At one Suzuki dealer I checked on the cable and he said they were available, and wanted to order it for me.  Seems the plans I had made for an old bike and rider changed, as I did more in two days than I had planned on in four.  Arriving home with my new prize, and ready to go riding it that weekend.  Lots of places to show it off still.  With one old bike show thrown in to share the memories, and after five years, another change in plans.  It was up for sale, riding it only 2000 miles a year didn’t seem fair, but I wasn’t going to just sell it, and God sent the right person and the next owner left with the same smile on his face I did 10,000 miles ago.  I had realized my dream, and now it was someone else’s turn.  Somehow I had the same joy in selling it that I had in buying and riding it.  But the new of the old would eventually wear out, and somewhere is the new owner telling his stories about it.  Which is the way it should be.....

Jesus tells us he has come to give us life and to the fullest.  Not many can say they have had a full life, but a life full of something.  I was able to get the fullest out of my Suzuki, and to enjoy it to the fullest.  Sometimes we forget that God loves to bless us with things, but not so they become the point of worship.  That is reserved exclusively for him.  We sometimes get so involved with our plans that we neglect God’s for our life and miss out on the blessings.  Some get so religious they rather brag on their humility than enjoy the blessings.  Like my decision to change my riding plans, we need to make changes as we go, for situations change, and what once sounded like a good idea can change.  While some fall into the trap of he who dies with the most toys dies, neglecting he still dies, when given things from God, he also gives a heart along with an attitude, mind, soul, and a strength that worships him.  The gifts God gives go way beyond salvation, but without Jesus we will not see who the giver truly is.  Without Jesus things are just things, until we put them in the proper perspective.  It can come down to the simplest things of the day, that when offered to him in thanks are enjoyed more.  Maybe better put by my friend Frank, who once explained the joy of the Lord to me in a different way.  When God gives you the desire of your heart, he will fulfill it, and when he is the desire, you see the blessings everyday.  He gave me the desire for the old bike and ride, then found the perfect bike for me.

Which allowed me to not only receive his blessings, but to pass them on and see the next owner blessed as well.  In giving God was honored, and in passing it on, I was blessed, giving all the glory to God.  Now some may say “it’s just a bike, or just a ride.”  These same ones may also say “he’s just a god,” or deny him altogether.  It is when you know him personally the blessings grow.  All done outside of the four walls, with no advice or guidance offered, just two friends who like to ride, Jesus and me.  You see he is our friend, our savior, and my Lord.  Also an encouragement in my times of need, and my provider.  Missing out on blessings, maybe you are missing out on Jesus.  Overwhelmed by things, ask him for advice.  Burdened by legalistic Christians trying to rob your joy, keep them in prayer.  And off the road, to many potholes already out there to ruin your ride.  It not the things that go into us that matter, but rather the things that come out of us.  If you think this tale is about me and an old Suzuki, you missed the point.  It is a testimony of Jesus in my life.  May all your rides end up like mine, and may all your friends and desires pale next to Jesus.  The thief, whether in religion or on the street comes to steal, even to steal our relationship with Jesus.  But he came to give us a full life, to him that is holy.  As in whole, lacking nothing.  Not sure of your course, maybe a change in riding plans is in order, and I have this friend of mine known for his plans.  Ask and you shall receive, I did and I rode.  In the abundance of Jesus Christ.  All thanks be to him, who gives abundantly.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

the light blue Ford van at the bottom of the hill

When Interstate 78 opened in Jersey, it was like opening up a race course for us.  With no freeways like California, and very few places to go fast, when the part of it opened by where I lived, we were drawn to it.  Miles of open road with no traffic, and at least for awhile, no police.  Drag racing, top speed runs, and seeing what she’ll do were all conducted here.  The excuse being it was a good place to blow the carbon out of the older cars, and newer ones too.  Wind out all the gears, give the car a free tune up by blowing out all the built up carbon, and it’ll run better when done.  Somehow knowing just when to pull off and avoid detection or capture.  New Jersey State Police at the time looked and acted like storm troopers, with no mercy offered or shown.  Add in the new 55 mph law, and they went crazy writing tickets for 56 or 57 mph.  Only in Jersey....

But at the bottom of a long grade, at one time a great place to test top speed, right before I-287 going east, sat a light blue Ford van in the median.  For years it sat there, you could see it from the top, and it was a police vehicle monitoring your speed, and then having you pulled over and ticketed up the road.  It was almost legendary as it sat there for years, it seemed everyone I knew knew about it, but yet the temptation to speed and avoid getting caught didn’t deter many.  “Didn’t you know the van was there?”  “Yeah, but I thought maybe...”  and ended up cited.  One late afternoon Lance and late one afternoon sat up on the terraced hillside watching them in action, we kept betting on the speeder, but to no avail.  It seems that even then someone was always watching, and out to spoil a good time.  Another reason to hate New Jersey as if you didn’t have enough already.....

It seems that we all think we can ride under the radar, that it will always be the other guy but never me.  Which was true in one case, following Rex the Colorado trooper locked in on him,but I saw  him and slowed down soon enough, he even admitted “you were speeding, I just couldn’t lock on both of you.”  At least he was being honest, I wonder if the sudden nose dive of my front end when panic braking was a give away?  After many tickets and losing my license once and going to traffic school, I learned how fragile a driver’s license could be if I wanted to go fast.  But it seems that not only my license is fragile, but also my body and mind, the scripture referring to us as cracked pots, no one mentioned here by name, and our need for a savior and a spirit to guide us.  Paul writes in Corinthians, “we are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed.  Perplexed, but not in despair.  Persecuted but not abandoned, struck down but not destroyed.”  Ever have a day like that?  But hope is offered and given, as we carry the spirit of Jesus about in our bodies with us, to prove we cannot do it alone, and that help is always available.  A dying of our old self, and placing trust in Jesus, so we can truly call him Lord, and let him be Lord of our life.  And it ends so that the life of Jesus may be seen via our mortal body. 

Any time I was pulled over I felt hard pressed, guilty if even not doing anything wrong.  I was perplexed, wondering what I did this time.  I felt alone with no defense, but somehow lived to ride another day, and another ticket.  Life I found is like that also, cruising along and them tragedy strikes, and I feel all alone, being picked on, and wondering why, what is going on?  Seems Jesus knew all about the cracked pots that his spirit is contained in, and is teaching me not to rely on myself, but on him.  I am frail and mortal, feeling more of frail part everyday, but knowing that he never leaves me nor forsakes me.  And even when Satan in a blue van persecutes, he is with me then too, my judge and advocate.  If only I would get that on a regular basis...

So even us cracked pots have a chance, and another lesson learned, how our reaction is more important than our actions.  When we learn that the all surpassing power is from God, I now react differently, and avoid danger spots I once fell into.  Knowing the blue van is there and slowing down for it are two different things.  How you respond to temptation or a trial tells us a lot about the Jesus we preach about.  We don’t like the tests, but in each one get to see a side of Jesus we otherwise would have missed.  Making even the answer to “would you rather drive fast and lose your license or sanely and keep it?”  Sounds simple, until that open stretch of road.....the key is not ending up on the side of it. 

So remember you are carrying the body of Jesus, his holy spirit within you.  Rely on his power and strength, along with his wisdom.  Or of course you could blame the cops, or even the company who made such a fast bike.  They won’t suffer, only you will.  There are many light blue Ford vans just waiting to run your fun, to cause you grief, to upset your day.  Some hidden, some in plain view.  It is how you react to them that makes the difference, so many of my wounds are self inflicted form being stupid.  And stupid hurts, it’s supposed to.  But we always have Jesus there to console us.  Until the next time, let the beauty of Jesus be revealed in the cracked pot you are.  Let his light shine through the cracks.  Letting his light guide you.  Traffic court is no place to spend your day off....and it sure beats taking the bus!  Beware, the blue van waitith for you!

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com