Well it is time to take a look into God’s Word and explore a little. If you
have followed the column through the holidays we have covered a few points
that come together in our Winter Bible Study. When you come face to face
with the living God you don’t leave the same way you came, you have a chance
to begin again! Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
We know the ability to communicate goes a long way to ensuring
victory. We also know the best way to communicate things is face to face. So
what happens when we meet Jesus face to face? We are going to look at a few
passages of Scripture that record some of these meetings. Some were carried
to Jesus, some happened to meet him as they went about their daily
activities and some sought Jesus out.
I am reminded of fans who seek out their favorite drivers for
autographs. What happens when they finally meet them face to face? Some
swoon, some scream, some jump up and down with excitement. There is no
telling how some will react.
I have had my opportunities to meet some folks that I admired. I
remember meeting Richard Petty, a driver I watched since I was a young boy.
He helped me become a racing fan. I have met Bobbie Allison, another driver
from the era when my racing roots were being developed. Throw David Pearson
into the mix and I have met some pretty big names in the history of racing.
I have “raced” with a pretty important name in racing also, Paul
Newman. Well I am stretching it a bit but let me share with you how the
story goes. I was in my ZX5 Focus and I pulled out to pass the satin blue
Volvo wagon that was in the climbing lane. As I accelerated by I took a look
over at the driver, some grandpa, glasses down on the tip of his nose, gray
hair and wife sitting by his side. Wait a minute; I know that face, that’s
Paul Newman. He was on his way to an event at his Hole in the Wall camp in
Ashford, CT and I passed him.
Of all the times I have stood and talked with someone that I
admired or someone famous the most life changing encounter I have ever had
was when I met Jesus and he forgave my sin. My best friend, Steve Bureau,
introduced me to him and my life has never been the same. Have you been
introduced to Him? Today is the day, now is the time.
Luke 19 1-10;
Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name
of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see
who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. So
he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was
coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him,
"Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." So he
came down at once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began
to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a `sinner.' "But Zacchaeus stood
up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my
possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I
will pay back four times the amount." Jesus said to him, "Today salvation
has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the
Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."
Think
of how many race fans would climb a tree to see their favorite driver. Would
they be as eager to climb a tree to see Jesus? There are a few things we
need to learn from this passage.
Jesus knows you and who you are. Did you notice how he addressed
Zacchaeus while he was in the tree? Jesus knew his name. If Jesus knew his
name he also knew the things he had done in his life. How do we know?
Zacchaeus was immediately convicted when Jesus said that He was going to his
house for lunch. Zacchaeus confessed his sin and made restitution to those
he had taken advantage of.
Let me ask you a question, how much house cleaning would each of us
have to do if Jesus said he was coming to our house for lunch?
Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus and when he met him the burden of his
past was removed. His life changed that day and he received salvation. He
was lost in his life of accumulating money and taking advantage of people.
After he came face to face with Jesus he realized none of it was worth the
burden of living with the guilt. That day salvation came to him. Jesus came
to seek and save what was lost.
Sometimes we don’t know how lost we are. We don’t think the
burdens, caused by the choices we make, really matter until challenges come
and our world comes crashing down. Meeting Jesus will change your life. If
you need to be introduced let us know we’ll introduce you.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
MOTORSPORTS 2010 - A lot of hard work has gone into getting things
together for the show this year. We have a trio of drivers in the booth on
Saturday to autograph, Eddie MacDonald confirmed this week and will join
Ryan Preece and Bubba Broderick for Saturday afternoon.
We are looking forward to Sunday morning this year as we will have
the opportunity to worship together. Victory Chapel will be 10:15; the place
will be the D hall stage. Please join us for this time set aside to honor
God.
Make a point to stop by and say hi, your encouragement means a lot
to us.
TOYOTA ALL-STAR SHOWDOWN - Shortly after we clean up from
Motorsports Dan and I will be headed to the West Coast for the last race of
2009. Yes, I know it is 2010, but the race is based on 2009 performance. It
used to be the last race but now it is the first. I’m confused, but if you
watch us on Speed Channel everything will be cleared up, maybe. Anyway, I
should have some information on the plans of many of the teams for the 2010
Camping World Series East.
ATLANTIC CITY INDOOR RACE - While we are away the TQ’s will
play. Many of the same drivers who competed in Providence have made plans to
be in Atlantic City for the Gambler’s Classic at the Boardwalk Hotel. If you
can’t get to the west coast then get your winter racing fix in AC.
MADHOUSE - I am not sure how the connection is made with the
History channel but I have watched bits and pieces of this “reality” show as
it documents the racing season at the famed Bowman Gray Stadium. I know a
few of the folks involved and I am sure that some of the antics have been
played up for TV. I guess it makes for good TV but I can tell you this, when
they take the footage and start splicing things together there is no telling
what you will come up with. Take it for what it is, a not so serious look at
the antics you might find at your local short track.
Now, if they want reality I can think of a few on track
altercations at my local short track between TC and Chris Jones, Keith Rocco
and TC and the rest of the cast of characters that would fit right in at
BGS. It is always easy to point the finger but first we need to look in the
mirror.
Be a witness for our Lord with the ministry decals and apparel. See
them at the Online Apparel Store at
www.RWJM.org. Call us
with your prayer and counseling needs and list all your prayer needs, no
matter what part of our racing family you are in, with the Racing Family
Prayer Request Page
www.rwjm.org/page/prayers.php also send your prayer request by mail.
Until next time, remember that God loves you, we love you and
Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing. GOD BLESS.
 Mail reaches us at Racing with Jesus Ministries, PO Box 586,
Tolland, CT 06084.
Check our weekly printed pages in "Area Auto Racing
News", the East Coast’s largest weekly racing paper.
See our on-line Apparel
Store for subscription information.
Check our home page
www.rwjm.org for past
articles.
We invite you to input your thoughts as you sign our Guest Book.
Please remember, we can only do what we do because of your prayerful
financial support.
Numbers 6:24-26 "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord
make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face
toward you and give you peace."
May God always Bless you, everyday in everyway. Rev. Don
CHECKERED CHEERS
***WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES***
January 20
JOHN & SANDY LEGER - This CT based LM driver and wife have their 19th
anniversary.
GREG & VENETTA NARDUCCI - This FL based couple celebrates 32 years
together.
January 21
ED & LINDA SANSEVERINO - This AARN/RWJM photographer and wife from
Hillsborough, NC have their 35th anniversary.
January 22
IRA & KIMBERLY HARTOUGH, JR. - Long time fans of Bob Park, NASCAR
Modified driver, have their 10th.
January 23
KERRY & RENE' EARNHARDT - This Kannapolis, NC ARCA/NNS driving son of
the late Dale share their 12th anniversary.
BOB & LOIS MARTI - This Watertown, CT Modified Team crewman and wife
have their 42nd anniversary..
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
January 20
KENNY BRIGHTBILL - Sinking Springs, PA legendary and active dirt Mod
driver.
DONALD SMITH - NC Modified driver.
BARRY BABB - Beech Ridge Speedway LM driver.
RICHIE GALLUP - Springfield, MA Modified driver.
JERRY CATANIA - A son of CT Mod owner, Joe.
MIKE ADASKAVEG - "Boston Herald" photographer.
GORDY KILLIAN - Reading, PA Sprint writer/photographer.
ROSE TEETER - Wife and NSC fan with husband Paul of Ithaca, NY.
January 21
ERNIE SAXTON - Fellow AARN columnist and Motorsports Marketing
President of Langhorne, PA and president of Eastern Motorsports Press
Association.
GARY "BUGS" HAIRFIELD - Chesterfield, VA LMSC driver.
BUD KUEHNE - Clinton, CT Waterford LM driver.
HARRY SOLT - NH based NASCAR CWES crewman.
BILLY SOLT - Lehigh Valley, PA NASCAR WMT crewman and Harry's twin.
BOB RUDNE - Brother of Norwich, CT race car letterer Alan Coulle.
LINDA BROWN - Riverhead Raceway fan.
January 22
DAVE STACY - Enon, OH former Dash Series driver.
JACK CARUSO - Former New Jersey dirt Sportsman driver and crewman,
also proud dad of Micro sprint driver Angela Caruso.
January 23
HERB DRUGG - Troy, NH NASCAR NCWS driver.
BRAD HIETALA - Ellington, CT Modified driver.
January 24
BRETT ROUBINEK - Chicago, IL born, Lakeville, CT occasional Crystal
Rock Water NASCAR NCWS driver and lead sports car driving instructor.
GARY SPENCER - Shickshinny, PA NASCAR NCWS driver from the famous
Berwick, PA racing family.
AUSTIN CAMERON - El Cajon, CA NASCAR West driver.
TINA CAMPBELL - Wife of Busch Sport Scene editor and organizer of the
Annual Busch Sport Scene Snowmobile Poker Run for Charity, George.
JENSEN PICARDL - Riverhead Raceway crewman/ driver.
JEFF SANDT - Gainesville, GA All Pro/ UDTRA photographer and writer.
JAMES CASEY - Seekonk Speedway fan.
ALEXANDRIA TWINEM - The daughter of Brookfield, WI fans Tom and
Carita.
January 25
JOE PLAZEK - Caistor Centre, Ontario D.I.R.T. Modified driver.
DALE QUARTERLY - Westfield, MA NCWS owner, crew chief and part-time
driver.
BUDDY BAKER - NASCAR Cup retired great, now race commentator.
BRIAN BOISSONNEAULT - Windham, CT ProStock team owner with brother
Brad as driver.
BRIAN DANKO - Southington, CT famous AARN Modified Series columnist.
LYNDA HEDGER - Wife of NASCAR Sprint Cup Official, Randy.
ROBERT BLAISDELL - Champaign, IL fan.
January 26
JOE TIEZZI - Ivoryton, CT retired Mod driver.
CAROL PRATT - Bob's wife/ sister-in-Law of the late AARN Advertising
Manager Joe Pratt and aunt to drivers Ed, Richie and Richie, Jr.
MICHELLE McMECHEN - The wife of Steve and daughter Henry St. John at
Jewett City Service.
MICHAEL PARES, JR - Raceway Park Champion and the son of "Area Auto
Racing News" NASCAR Mod Series photographer Mike and wife Carol.
JONNY KERSLAKE - son of the late Danbury racer John and a racer in
his own right.
SHARE YOUR SPECIAL OCCASIONS WITH YOUR RACING FAMILY.
SEND THEM TO:
RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES
PO Box 586
Tolland, CT, 06084
TheChromeHorn RWJM Archives
Racing With Jesus Ministries Website
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