SEEMS GOOD! START `ER UP!

            My intake manifold gasket was leaking.  So, one Saturday morning my oldest son and I tore it down.  We cleaned all the parts, installed the new gasket, and put it back together.  Finally ready to start it up again.  A few seconds into the run a loud hammering sound started coming from the engine. 

“Shut it down!” 

“What was that?” 

“I guess we’ll find out!”

We pulled a few spark plugs and found one smashed and beaten.  Something fell in the open port when we had the intake off.  How careful can you be and still do it wrong?  Every available precaution can be practiced and still, bang!  There are rules that apply no matter how sincere the plan.  Things must be accomplished the correct way.  No matter how earnest, there is little forgiveness to be found when done wrong, boom, the damage is done.  

The good news is that damage is often repairable. Sometimes the consequences can be reversed.  There is a way to start over.  So much of life is not just a matter of doing what ‘seems’ right but rather seeking to learn what ‘is’ right.  There is a correct way to build a motor.  There is a correct way to build a life.  Anything else will be problematic, “Seek the Truth!”

Pro 16:25 ESV   

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

Timing Pointer

I wanted to set the timing on the new engine.  It was then that I noticed there was no timing pointer!  Everything has to do it’s job at exactly the right moment or the motor will not run.  If there is even a small error in the adjustment, the old truck won’t run well.  Oh, you could drive it for years that way; burn a little extra gas, have premature wear and tear on parts, or even catch on fire; but why not do it the best way?  It would make sense to try!  One does need to tune up these old engines now and then and make sure things are good.  I just want to start strong and drive for a long time with very few troubles.  It is unrealistic to think about such a thing as ‘no troubles!’  However, it’s not a bad idea to check the timing.  The pistons need to have good ‘top-dead-center’ relationship with the fire from the spark plugs.  If these relationships are poor the motor will not run right.  We may never get everything right in this life, but God’s Word has a few timing pointers.  Perhaps things would be running a little better if we were tuned into the scripture.  Now where is my timing pointer? 

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.                        2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJV 

             

Step Up

The older trucks had running boards.  They are anchored to the frame by three solid supports strong enough to hold a couple of real men.  Unlike some newer nostalgic replicas made of plastic these are very functional, real steel, running boards.  When I was cleaning these two fellows up the other day I did not notice a little factory sticker with a red lined out circle warning “not a step!”  There are many things in this old life that look like a step up, but are not.  Sometimes the elevated platform does not indicate advancement.  Just because a person can look down does not mean they have the advantage or the exalted position.  My desire to get behind the wheel might be realized by stepping on the running board.  May God help us if we only see others as the running board that put us in the driver’s seat!  When we step up to do the right thing, may it never be at someone else’s expense.  When we step up make sure it is a real step. 

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 1 Peter 2:21 (KJV)

The Gas

I moved the gas tank out of the cab and put it under the bed.  I have learned the hard lesson about gasoline.  What have I learned?  I hate running out of it!  I have run out more than once in my lifetime.  When I fail to take the time to respond to the gauge, when I fail to stop at a station, and when I fail to fill the tank, I soon find myself wondering, “Why am I stranded on the side of the road?”   If I truly learned these lessons about petro, why did I ever run out of gas a second time?  It must have something to do with the location of the filler cap near the back of the vehicle.  When I am enjoying the ride of my life, I usually do not watch the gauge: I look at the scenery. When cruising down the highway, I don’t see the filler neck or the little door on the side of the car.  I know it is there.  In know how to put gas in the car, but who thinks of that on such a nice day?   There are some things that we should do before we ever leave home in the morning; we need to have enough fuel to get through the day.  We will go no farther than our preparations will allow us.  Check the gas gauge! 

My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.                          Psalms 5:3

The Load

How much work has this old truck accomplished?  I can tell by the scars and dents on the back of the cab that there have been a few burdens.  The way the front of the box was smashed up against the cab, it would indicate a rare load or two may have slid forward after a hard stop.  How much more could have been stacked up back there?  I suppose now with the new engine the old truck could haul more than ever before.  Yet the framework is still light duty pick up, 3100 Chevrolet, half ton.  Sometimes we will get into a project a little deeper than we should.  In the process we realize that this potential risk we now face has been here all along!  Sure it is only a few more bricks!  Wisdom would dictate the prudence of a little thought prior to loading.  It would be smart to avoid getting into trouble at any stage of life.  It would not be good to engage in activities that will only abuse the life out of us.  There are common things that require way too much work!  It looked like fun at the time!  The payoff is too high!  We were never intended to carry a load of those bricks anyway!  Sometimes, it would be better to never load the truck!

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.                                             1 Cor 10:13 ESV

Little Things

I was just standing there looking at the old truck.  I should have left the garage a while ago but I noticed I had not re-connected a grounding strap.   Since the truck cab is resting on rubber mounts there must be a flexible braided brass strap connecting the metal cab to the steel frame. Without it the electrical system will not work.  It is very important to get this done.  It was just another little thing that had to be completed.  I cannot tell you how many more little things still need to be accomplished.  I have figured out that these things must not be overlooked.  Each little undone thing is a potential nightmare waiting to terrorize my life, my ride, on the open highway.  Sometimes I wish I could see all those little things right now and make a good list ahead of time.  Unexpectedly, there is a new list of things demanding attention right now!  On the other hand, if I really understood how much work there was yet to do I might become discouraged and quit.  Maybe the blessing is in not knowing about all these things that remain unfinished.  I am certain there will be some challenges yet to come but for now, I must keep going!  Get something done every week.  Stay faithful to the project.  Until then I will just keep working on those things I already know about. 

Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.   Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

Phil 3:15-16 (ESV)

Hope

I was gazing upon a picture of the old truck today.  It has been almost two years since I heard there was an old truck setting out behind this guy’s house.  He told me to go look at it.  He said, “If you want it you can have it.”   The old truck has been mine since the day I brought her home.  The present and future condition of this ole’ truck now rest upon my ability to keep any and all promises I have made.  The funny part was, there in the yard; to look at her you could not tell much had changed.  The old truck had a new position, my yard.  It had new authority, my control.  She had a new loyalty, my service.  The work of rescue and restoration had begun!  Now the old truck is somewhere amid the reality of what she once was, and what she will become!  In this place concerning two realities there is a lot of room for her old scars to be seen while she is in full anticipating a new life.  Those of us who see the scars should not judge.  Those of us who see her beauty should find hope for the days ahead.  Her hope is with her owner, the one who made the promises; she will run the roads again.

 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.  And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.              1 John 3:2-3 (ESV)

REFLECTIONS IN THE GLASS

When the old truck was in route to a full work day, I am certain many scenes were completely missed.  The job, the destination, and the slow impassable vehicles ahead were among the obstructions that forced the eyes to watch the road just in front of the hood.  How many decorated sunrises, snow tipped mountains, and emerald meadows have been reflected in the windshield?  In the course of daily activity, good things like family and friends have approached the sphere of vision.  In the moments of distraction they escape unnoticed into the cool evening shadows.  How many such wonders have been lost because of the demands of the winding road?  At the time, it seemed as though there were no other options but to drive the truck.  Looking back now, life has passed by!  

For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’                                      Matt 13:15 (ESV)

The Hypocrisy of Paint

So I started to put some fresh paint on the old truck.  This time-worn work horse has a lot of road scars from bad driver decisions and unsecured loads.  Yet with all her historic bruises, welts, and scars this truck is going back into service, not some museum.  The saving grace of fresh paint; the rust is gone.  The dents are still visible but they are covered.  The new life and color are great from a distance, but when standing close the imperfections can still be seen under the fresh paint.  As a matter of fact, somehow, the renewed coat has magnified the scars of her old life.  I wondered as I worked on the old truck, “is she a hypocrite for wearing a new coat when she is just and old truck?  Is it right for her to make a fresh start and go back into full truck service for her owner and maker?  Who does she think she is?  Those who knew her in another life might simply call her a hypocrite.  There she is, pretending to be all new when we can still see her old dents and scars!”  We remember who she used to be!  The truth is that while some may criticize her attempts at the new life, in the end the one who loves her will be her judge.  You might say she is not perfect, just forgiven!      

Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.  Ps 32:1   NIV

One Real Good Door

Actually, when the weather is great it is a lot of fun to ride around with the doors off.  I remember riding in a military jeep back in Vietnam with no top or doors.  I guess it was all about an easy in or easy out depending on the immediate situation.  I’m sure there a few guys out there who could tell us stories about jeeps without doors.   

There are so many things that need to be done next that it freaks me out to look at the old truck.   I was sitting in it the other day pondering what I should do… next!  As I sat in the driver’s seat, leaning back with my hands on the old cracked steering wheel like a boy without a license, I just wondered.  No doors!  I guess I could fix the doors.  No matter how much fun it would be to go door-less, when the weather turns cold and evil, it is a great thing to have doors and to be on the inside of them.  Have you ever thought about how many times in just one day an average person might move through a doorway?  Why doors?   Are they trying to keep us in or keep us out?   They offer ingress, egress, safety, security, protection, and passage.  I am looking forward to the day when One will say, “Get in, shut the door, buckle up, hang on, we are going for the ride of your life!” 

I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.                                                                                           John 10:9 (KJV)

Daily Braking

For the cost of replacing all the old drum-brake parts it made good sense to upgrade.  In the course of an average day’s driving the brakes are a very important piece of technology.  As any old truck would tell you, there have been times when good working brake system was a real life saving blessing.  I can think of a few times that I would have been in serious trouble if the braking system had not worked.  So while we were hanging the new calipers on those shiny rotors it came to me as a sun beam though the trees during an early morning cruise.  This little nugget of truth slapped me with the full import of reality.  Even when there is no obvious pending danger, when the ride is a routine short hop to the corner store, the brakes are always in service. We seldom realize how much we use the brakes every time we go out for a drive.  How and when to apply the brakes is a task we learn in the early stages of driver education.  Any old truck that has survived a close call or two, and has the dents and dings to prove it, will tell you the skill of daily braking is the result of open road experience.  We may not think of it often but the braking skills and systems have become part of who we are in the moment of our every movement. 

The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; whoever guards his way preserves his life. Prov 16:17 (ESV)

Certain Things

Certain things have to happen.  Basically the collection of available knowledge and wisdom is the result of the hard work and experience of others.  No matter who has tried it before, the letter A still comes before B, and number 2 still follows number 1.  Knowledge is written in the books, so I read the books.  Wisdom is written in the heart of those who have applied the knowledge, so I talk to people.  Someone has been here before me.  Many of the issues I struggle with others have dealt with long before I came to this project.  These fathers of knowledge, these patriarchs of wisdom know exactly what I am up against.  They know at a glance what must be accomplished in order for me to move forward.  They see the trail ahead.  They can read the signs.  They watch with anticipation as I continue to correct the havoc and destruction brought about by the savage road and decay of time.  I am learning to seek for the truth and their assistance.  Certain things have to happen if there is to be any significant progress.  Maybe if I step back, straighten up, and take a fresh look at my old truck, perhaps then, I would see more clearly exactly where I am. 

Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”               Luke 21:28 (ESV)

Thank You

I was getting ready to close the garage door.  I was done for the day.  As I turned, I saw the old truck take a bow!  The last time that cab was off that frame was 1954.  There it was, off the frame, and hanging from the rafters with a forward lean.  When I found her she had been stuck under a tree on a windy Kansas hill, abandoned to the elements.  I laughed as I thought how it looked like an old reliable friend who, after folding her hands, was slightly bowing in deep respect and gratitude for a small favor.  Is the old truck thankful for the opportunity of a better life?  Thankfulness!  Wow!  There is an old idea that could use restoration!  I closed the garage door, shut off the lights, and went home wondering about ‘thankfulness.’  To whom do I owe an old fashioned, “thank you?”

 We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks, for your name is near.  We recount your wondrous deeds.                                                           Psalms 75:1 (ESV)

How Deep Is It?

When you look into the heart of an issue, the self talk becomes very interesting.  I was working on what I thought was the best side of the truck when I ran into some old body filler.  It looked good from a distance but something had been covered with ‘Bondo.’  I had been deceived into thinking that this body panel was in good shape.  Like most other areas of this old truck things can look good until the day of testing.  Every area of this old body will be tested.  The weakness in the metal will be revealed sooner or later.  What I have done to take the truck apart and what will be done to put her back together, all of it will provide the ultimate in testing.  I was tempted for a few minutes to leave the problem alone!  Hey, just move on!  Nothing is perfect!  Don’t be so critical of every little flaw in your old truck!  Other trucks have it too!  I watched that body panel for about twenty minutes pondering the depth of the problem and what I would have to do to change this condition.  Will it look as good as it does now?  Will it be stronger?  Who will notice either way?  What is the right thing to do?  With a deep sigh and several hours more work added to the project… I began to grind it all off!

…for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.”  So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.        
                                           Romans 14:11-12 (ESV)

Help!

The other day I was working on the old truck and the time came to start welding.  I have read a few articles about those wire feed welders.  It was time to turn on the welder, and get to it.  However, let me make this clear, “I did not read the instructions.”  I took some scrap steel, hooked up the ground clamp, and flipped the switch.  Helmet on!  Touch the wire to the metal… nothing!  What?  Try it again. Nothing!  I didn’t want to do it, but I was stumped, so I called my friend who owns the welder to see if I was missing something.  After a while he came down to the garage and we talked about the problem.  I watched ever so closely.  He checked the ground, turned the switch on, touched the wire to the metal, and fire jumped everywhere!

“Hey, how did you do that?”

“Well you just pull the trigger!”

“Ooohh!!  The trigger!!”

How is it that a simple little thing such as ‘the trigger’ can make a guy feel so ignorant?  Why is it so hard for a man to ask for help?  I just needed someone to teach me how to pull the trigger.  It is funny how a little help can make all the difference in a day.  I’m welding now.  It may not be pretty, but I am welding.

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?  My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.  He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.                                                                     Psalms 121:1-3 (ESV)

Remember Grandpa's Truck

Remember Grandpa’s Truck?

At church the other day someone said they had a few old vehicles along the fence row out back.   Many of us who love the old metal would immediately become very anxious to see such a back yard museum.  I feel it while driving along the highway and I spot that timeworn iron in the distance, under a tree, at the back of some field, or poking out from behind a collapsing farm building.  They have been taken out of service for one reason or another and left behind by the onward march of time.  What happened?  Where is the owner?  Who drove it last?  Was there a child who rode in this truck, his grandpa’s truck, on summer vacations?  Are these forgotten forever?  Is there anything that can be done to revive that old truck?  How could someone just give up and quit the old ride?  There is so much more good living and driving to be done!   There are those among us who long to see every old truck restored and brought back to the open road.  Yet, there they are, abandoned, old, rusty, neglected, trucks!   It seems like such a sad ending for so many!

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.   2 Peter 3:9

The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:    2 Peter 2: 9

Fenders Off

Fenders Off!

Fenders off!  The fenders had to come off!  Considering the truck is about 58 years old it is amazing how sturdy the metal.  They were made of real steel in those days.   However, the deeper I looked into the old truck, under the hood, under the fenders, down to the frame; the more I began to notice a serious problem.  Rust is the cancerous sin of the iron truck.  No matter how they look on the street, they all have ‘it’ somewhere.  Rust is working silently to destroy all trucks.  It is just a matter of time.  In order for the old truck to be rescued, redeemed, reclaimed, and restored some one must get down to the frame. 

¹⁴ For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. ¹⁵ As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; ¹⁶ for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. ¹⁷ But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him…                                                                                   Psalms 103:14-17 (ESV)

Sitting in the Yard

There are a number of things any of us could accomplish today.  I saw my old truck just sitting there in the yard again today.  Old!  No motor!  No power!  No work today!  I often referred to the old truck as 'Kansas Yard Art.'  It looks pretty good just setting there, from a safe distance.  Did I mention "no motor?"  The old truck will do nothing today.  She will just sit there, again.  The fact is when just sitting in the yard, from a distance, we all look pretty good.  There are a number of things any one of us could accomplish today!

 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.                                                Heb 13:20-21 (KJV)