fast will be fast until someone goes faster

I was reading an old Cycle Guide from 1986 the other night that now resides in our library aka bathroom.  Great reading material, and in this particular issue the headline was “World’s Fastest and Quickest Motorcycle,”   an article that I had read and reread many times.  For me it was hoping the outcome would be different, as the FJ1100 I had only went 147 mph and 10.5 in the quarter, beat by Suzuki’s GSXR1000 and the Ninja 1000.  It was all about speed in those days, who got there first and was the fastest, and those numbers would be bragging rights for some time to come.  No matter each bike came specially prepared from its importer, or that Jay Gleason, the fastest man in the quarter at the time rode them, the numbers were there in plain sight for all to read, and coming in third in a five bike race was no moral victory for me.  Chances are I would never and never have to prove the magazine wrong, but I had friends who used the article for bragging rights, even if they never went over 70.  Somehow none of us really never challenged the next guy to a race, but would depend on those words in print to do all the bragging needed.  Five bikes, one article, with one winner.  But looking back and past my ego, there were no losers, fast will always be fast until someone goes faster. And although most readers wouldn’t and couldn’t perform at those levels, in our minds it gave us bragging rights, as if we were that fast.  Oh to be young and foolish again today......

Now if you were there, you can remember it was all about the Japanese bikes, no one I knew rode Harleys, never confused with a performance bike, no Ducati’s either.  But conspicuous by its absence was Honda.  Still searching for the ultimate UJM, they were going to the V-4 like the Sabre and away from the racing image.  Their bikes were just as competitive but lacked the racing look we all clamored for, the fairings with low bars, resets, and fancy paint jobs.  For some the look was just as important or more important than the speed, it was all about the image or illusion of speed.  And with cops on every corner, the insurance companies wanting to ban Ninja style bikes, led by GEICO and State Farm, two companies now trying to get our insurance money, that I will never buy, we would prefer to be known by the articles rather than the tickets or our own speed contests.  The guy behind the bars on the street was not the same guy behind the magazine article many times....

We read in scripture that a double minded man is unstable in all his ways.  Feet planted firmly in the middle, able to go either way as the crowd or argument demands.  It is one thing when it comes to riding and brand loyalty, another when it comes to the things of God.  When Jesus told us to deny our family and pick up our cross and follow him, he wasn’t telling us to hate them, but to let go of the past, and to follow him as an individual.  Not follow church or religious teachings, but to hear what the spirit was saying and obey.  I have tried to be religious at church and then myself at work, it won’t work, one or the other will win, and soon we get a reputation for being a hypocrite, a liar and a fool.  So Jesus asks us to make the ultimate decision, to be born again, and live life for him, and not religion.  At one time motorcycles were our religion, how many changing brands as newer and faster came out each year.  Some stood by brand loyalty no matter what, but we were as finicky as any one else.  An area where pride can be subtle or speak in harsh and loud terms.  Is my brand better than yours?  Is my church better than yours?  Bigger and better?  Based on what?  Man or God?  Stop and consider Jesus for a minute and our position with him, it might just scare you.  Does religion rule in your life or Jesus himself?  Why do you attend where you do?  Is that pretty girl your gospel, the false teachings that tickle your ears and make you feel good?  Do you have a position in the church and like the attention?  Whatever it is, if anything comes between you and Jesus it is sinful.  You may stumble and never fall, but stumbling in life is as dangerous as at 120 mph, no room for error.

I have some great Catholic friends who love Jesus, yet used to attend a church that found them inferior.  Don’t like your Lutheran church, many synods to choose from.  Don’t want the truth, listen to Joel Osteen or some of the TBN crowd.  But if you want all you can get out of life and eternity too, Jesus is the only way.  What I have trouble with is no one I know wants to buy an inferior motorcycle, it is a personal thing, so why settle for anything less than Jesus in life?  Religion gives us no choice, Jesus allows us to choose.  So choose him, the correct answer.

Now you are not inferior because you attend a wrong church, but not getting all the blessings God has.  If you only know Jesus through Sunday services or your pastor, or a friend, you miss out on Jesus.  Many will come in his name, only the truth will set you free.  Jesus wants to participate in your life, still think that cross too heavy?  Remember he says his burden is light and easy, and to lean on him.  We are not alone....yet we can choose to be.  So who and where you worship is important and has eternal ramifications.  Some only support the brand of Jesus, do you truly call him Lord?  Do you do the things he asks? 

Some know about Jesus, while I prefer to know him personally.  Like those that hide behind the article and never ride as fast, too many hide behind religion for safety, while making themselves vulnerable to all the lies of Satan.  Some ride, some own.  Some are religious, some are saved.  Double minded, no place to be in Christ.  We do not know when the final competition will happen, but we need to be prepared for the finish of it, no do overs in hell.  You red light you lose.  You may meet religious requirements, do you meet God’s?  Fortunately we all are born into sin so we all qualify.  Drag races are lost in the blink of an eye, don’t bet your life on anything else but Jesus.  Fast will always be fast until someone goes faster, but Jesus will always be Jesus.  Only in him will you truly enjoy the ride, knowing where it will end.  Oh to not be old and foolish today....

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

changes in the garage

It would be unfair to blame Art, although he is partly responsible.  It would be unfair to blame Jim, as he too had a part in it.  Maybe even Theresa, as she had jokingly reminded me of how we always have money for motorcycles, even if we don’t have any money for food.  But the truth is, I made the decision with no influence, and when the deal was too good, jumped at it.  It is the new 2020 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650.  A what?  Royal Enfield, making bikes since 1901, first in Britain, and in India since 1954.  Millions of them, like the VW Beetle, not changing anything, and it showed.  Hundred year old technology with the same manufacturing procedure, not a winning combination, but in 2017  things changed for the better.  New president, new bikes, and a new outlook and marketing, and now I have one in my garage.  All the goodies of the expensive bikes, ABS, Pirelli tires, 4 valve head, 6 speed tranny, steel brake lines, Brembo brakes, great engine management, slipper clutch, great paint, black aluminum rims, and a three year warranty with unlimited miles.  Sounds like me.....and directly imported to the colonies from the factory, where combined with no middleman and Indian labor, they retail for $5999.  For a new bike.  Which reminds me of my Triumph Scrambler and it is very much fun to ride.  Even getting compliments when filling up at 50 mpg.  Even the magazines who used to make fun of them love it.  But like I said, it would be unfair to blame Art, but I’ll let you decide.

My two older Tigers with over 150,000 miles between them needed to be sold.  But no one wants to take a chance on a high mileage bike, even if the mileage is not high for them.  So telling Art, who is my Triumph pusher, he made me a deal I couldn’t refuse, and I rode one home.  And yesterday Jim and his son picked up the Tiger 955, our old touring bike with over 113,000 miles on it.  Lots of memories went down the street as I heard it for the last time......but we weren’t done yet.

Over the years I have accumulated enough jackets, gloves, shirts, hats, boots, and helmets to start a store.  Some only worn a few times, some still like new, and in need of someone who can use them.  Mentioning it to Jim, he said they were starting a used or low priced inventory of these items for those who are low on cash.  He explained how he had sold a high priced Jacket of his to a guy for $20, and he would buy my stuff.  Which I donated instead, maybe there was a young Mike out there in need of some good stuff and just needed a chance.  So with two bikes gone, and a lot of my clothing inventory thinned out, many things have changed in my garage.  But I still have another closet of leathers, and a cabinet I am not sure what is in it, last time I looked it had seven helmets, all but one an Arai.  But it is time to clean out and clean up, and no better way than to honor God by giving to those who are in need, I never expected an Indian bike would be the catalyst.....

As human beings we like things, lots of them.  Which may explain why so many cars are parked in the street instead of their garage.  Overflow, combined with a reticence to sell, rather to keep or hoard, collect, to just to say I have more than you.  Over the years we have adapted our packing for a trip to just what is needed, traveling light and enjoying the ride more.  Now we are adapting that to our lives.  Funny how a change of heart has affected our actions and attitudes.  Things can pile up quickly and get in our way, I cleaned off my workbench last night and filled half a trash can.  Where did I get all this junk?  I wasn’t even sure what some stuff was.  But just as our heart can affect our actions, our actions can affect our heart.  And our relationship with Jesus.

At one time based on pride, peer pressure, pride, bad teaching, pride, and pride, I thought I had to be doing something for God all the time, to be religious.  I even knew men I wanted to emulate, but found no joy in trying to please God by my rules.  Or to impress men I really didn’t care for. I finally decided I just wanted to sit in the back row and listen, and then my life changed.  Without all the clutter, I could hear the spirit directing, and found a joy I had been missing, being the person Jesus wanted me to be.  Maybe the hardest thing I ever did, be myself, and let God bring about the changes.  A process still ongoing, lot of little steps, and learning to avoid the big ones.  At least to me big, to God, just part of the plan.  I will not say I always went willingly, I had to be urged and sometimes kicking and screaming inside followed, but God is faithful even when I wasn’t.  From our relationship to giving me a ministry, to allowing me to ride to my heart’s content.  Which he again proved yesterday when the Tiger left for the last time without.  Almost 114,000 miles in 48 states with Theresa, the bike I was on when life flighted for open heart surgery.  Just hearing that off road pipe stirred some emotion, then I caught myself.  My life is no longer about things, it is all about Jesus, and the heart is the best place to keep those memories, just as Jesus designed it.  He has written his word on it, so he is always with us, his spirit inhabiting but not forcing himself on us.  It was my decision to trade the bikes, I feel a sense of joy and relief, but also the presence of God, knowing it was his way to show he cared, even down to my garage and what was in it.  To share things I had hoarded, to give and see true blessings, while still receiving.  Only in Jesus.....and he knew about it the whole time!  No more Craigslist, phone calls, bargain hunters, or strangers in my garage.  Now if I can only let him duplicate that in other areas of my life.  Key word is let him....

When there are times we feel we don’t have enough, 2 Corinthians reminds us he is adequate in all things.  We get religious, he wants to get personal.  He can do anything, yet includes me.  Last week it was just another ride until I accepted Art’s offer, and the process began for me.  For God it was always in process, and has brought me a fullness I had forgotten, and to me, now I am more excited about giving more clothes and cleaning out things others may need.  Remove the clutter, so I can see and hear Jesus better.  Lots of changes in my garage now, from nine to three bikes, from over 400,000 accumulated miles to under 40,000.  Having less and enjoying it more, which leaves more time to spend with God and give to others.  Maybe an afternoon in your own garage or closet will influence you, but it is up to God to show you.  This is how he worked it out for me.....he’s that personal.  And to those of you who are still bound in religion, where the spirit of the Lord is there is liberty.  Only in Jesus Christ will you experience true fullness of life.  Jesus and motorcycles, it just don’t get any better!  And then all things will be added unto us!

By the way, they call the color Ravishing Red....and did I mention it is way fun to ride!  You see, it really wasn’t Art’s fault after all! 

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot. com

the cars of Me TV

It was while rehabbing at a friend’s house after my open heart surgery I discovered Me TV.  Suddenly all the shows I grew up with and missed, and the ones I never saw because of my parent’s poor viewing choices were available.  And as I was to find out, cars paid a bigger part than I knew, or remembered.  Remember Kookie’s hot rod on 77 Sunset Strip, Stu  in his T-Birds and Jeff in his Ford convertibles.  My Three Sons with Steve initially driving a new Chevy wagon each year, then switching to Pontiacs.  Even the sons drove late model Pontiac LeMans Convertibles.  Beaver’s dad and his 1957 Ford before switching to those awkward Plymouths when they moved to Pine Street.  Lumpy’s 1940 Ford hot rod with dual Smitty’s.  Beaver even own an MGA in a contest like the one parked in front of Ward’s office. 

Do you remember Kolchak’s 1966 yellow Mustang convertible with a six cylinder and stick?  Mannix at first drove a Barris Kustom Toronado, then a series of custom Dodge Darts, finally a Camaro, while Peggy drove a car rare because of lack of sales, a Simca.  Adam 12 and the switch from Plymouths to AMC Matadors.  Who can forget Dan Mathews and his 1955 Buick Special, followed by Dodges, then 1958 Buicks while all the bad guys drove De Sotos or Plymouths.  Panel trucks by Ford, even a 1959 Chevy cop car, ever see one of those?  “2150 bye...10-4.”  Perry Mason knew his luxury, from his 1957 Cadillac to his later slab sided Lincolns, with Ford convertibles in between.  But Paul Drake was the coolest with his 1957 Vette, and then his T-Birds, top always down.  Then of course Mayberry’s Ford patrol cars, even Barney added a cycle with a side car.  And the one I never missed on Saturday night, CHiP’s, Kawasaki to the rescue! 

How many Invaders did David Vincent encounter in his 1966-67 Fords?  Or Mercury’s?  An occasional Ford truck or Econoline van, cool then, cool now.  Add in the Oldsmobile truck Jethro took Granny out in, the old troop car Colonel Burkhalter visited Colonel Klink in, even Ricky and Lucy pulled a trailer with a convertible.  Dragnet’s 1967 Ford Fairlane, McGarret’s full size Mercury’s, the Munster’s coach and Grandpa’s coffin drag racer, Kojak’s Buick’s, “who loves ya baby?”  Rockford’s Firebird, Rocky’s GMC with roll bar, Fred and Barney both had cars on The Flintstones, and the too new for the Korean War Ford school bus.  Mr. Douglas always drove a Lincoln, but who remembers Hank Kimball’s cool Bronco?  Barnaby Jones and his boring Ford sedans, The Monkee’s car, Plymouths on The Brady Bunch, and “one more thing sir,”  Columbo’s Peugeot, hand picked by Columbo himself.  And who says there is nothing good on TV.....

Memorable entertainment, and it is, but is your church falling into the same trap?  Is it all about the programs, musicals, special guests and speakers?  I have attended churches over the years who put on Disneyland quality Christmas productions, and some who would hire big name guests to entertain.  These things are not bad in themselves, but can and do detract from the purpose of God’s house, referred to by Jesus as a house of prayer.  With so many festivals, and concerts, has the church itself become socially prominent with Jesus taking a back seat?  If he can find one inside at all?  Now on a personal level how many of us place a premium on being entertained as opposed to coming to church to gather and just pray?  Praying before the service and a benediction is nice, but how many times has your study group or your church just spent the evening in prayer?  Waiting on God and listening for his spirit?  Maybe it is a subtle thing like a book store, which turns into a coffee house, where it becomes more social than Godly?  How many of your pastor’s books are advertised and then sold after the service, has church become a place to sell wares, raise funds, or to use as a place of entertainment?  Has it become a place like where Jesus threw out the moneychangers in anger as they were polluting his temple?  A den of robbers as he called it.  Now there is nothing wrong with business or church business, but that is not the main point of church.  It is gathering together in God’s name, to worship Jesus, we may not be called to do that publicly, but maybe privately God is telling us to shed the world and put on Jesus, at church and in our daily life, too.  Ask yourself, if the church really believed Bibles were so important, why would they sell them instead of giving them away like the Gideons? 

I once believed the world had invaded the church, but I was wrong.  The church invited it in, liked the things of the world more, and locked the doors behind it, so it would not escape.  Sometimes subtle, sometimes not so subtle.  At a festival at a church I used to attend, they had a big name singer one night.  A great night of entertainment,and afterwards I cornered him.  Asking him if it was a paying gig.  He admitted it was, and when I asked “would you do it for free?” he stopped to think.  And admitted he would have, would we have?  Don’t churches still pay organists and choir directors?  Want to fill the youth group, just mention Phil Wickham.  Maybe if we start in our own lives we can make a difference for Jesus, not just for the church.  Who you pay tithes to is important, you do give to God didn’t you?  Or is it the church?  What about all those special offerings, does God need the cash?  Remember it was the church leadership that rejected Jesus, and then those followers who yelled “crucify him!”  Maybe we need to check our own motives....is it all about me?  Or is Jesus the memorable one?  What do you do in his name to remember him? 

So maybe the old shows were really about cars, with a thin plot connecting them.  Don’t let a thin plot connect you with Jesus.  If he isn’t the main thing, remember he threw up a church who was lukewarm and made him sick.  People make up the church, us, you and I.  Maybe who is the Captain Kirk of your Enterprise is more important than we know or care to choose.  Remember Barney Fife’s first car, a 1952-54 vintage Ford?  Looked good, but eventually was all cosmetic and let him stranded.  Jesus will never let you down or stranded.  Some still leave it to Beaver instead of Jesus.  Charlie’s Angels or God’s angels.  Think about it....gotta go, Perry Mason’s on in five minutes.....see what I mean?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com