As we talked about last week we were going to spend some time reflecting on
the seven statements Christ made from the cross. This week we will look at
his first statement, Father forgive them. Greetings in the name of our Lord
and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Every time we leave someplace or someone there are words that are said that
leave a lasting impression. My wife and I are in the habit of saying I love
you when we close a conversation. It may not seem important but if they
happen to be the last words she ever hears from me I want her to know how
much she means to me.
We have many relationships in life and racing. Sometimes we take them for
granted and don’t realize the significance of what we say. Remember that the
words we speak may very well be the last words we will say to someone. Make
them worthwhile.
Jesus knew the time had come, he hung on the cross, soon he would breath his
last, but who was he thinking of? Who did he have on his mind? Despite the
pain and suffering he wasn’t thinking of himself. Jesus prayed.
Luke 23:34, Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what
they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
Now Jesus praying wasn’t out of the ordinary, but the subject of his prayer
helps us understand his character. He didn’t pray for himself, he didn’t
pray for mercy, he didn’t pray for relief, He prayed for his enemies. He
prayed that God would forgive those who had beaten, mocked and crucified
him.
How many times have we prayed to God for our enemies? Alright now how many
times have we asked God to forgive them? We pray for them alright, but we
pray that God would somehow cause pain and suffering to come upon them. When
we talk to God about our enemies it is unusual for us to ask for their
forgiveness.
Christ helps to understand that he meant it when he said love your enemies.
He demonstrates it for us even in the hour of his greatest need. I would ask
you this week to consider the example Christ has set for us, go to God and
ask him to forgive your enemies.
I am reminded of the Lord’s Prayer; the one Jesus gave us as a guide to
learn how to pray. Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who
trespass against us. Jesus was consistent in his teaching of forgiving those
who sin against you. It is a significant teaching of Jesus; we should
embrace it and practice it. Our own forgiveness depends on how we forgive
others.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
ICEBREAKER MELTS UNDER THE HEAT -
Bobby Santos didn’t wait too long to test out his new ride setting a new
track record on his way to the pole and victory lane for the defending
championship car owner Bob Garbarino. Looks like the Mystic Missile and Ole
Blue have renewed their battle for 2010 as Ryan Preece followed Santos home
in second place. I talked with both driver’s and they like their chance at
winning the crown. It will be a great season watching them battle it out
with the other contenders.
The big attraction of the weekend was the southern invader, Burt Myers,
whose team hauler parked on the end of the line attracted a crowd all
weekend. I was surprised that Burt and his team could prepare the car for
the race.
It was a great kickoff to the Whelen Modified Tour Schedule. We got to catch
up with old friends, meet some new ones and get the season started. We are
looking forward to being at Stafford in a few weeks.
A GREAT NIGHT IN QUAKERTOWN - This past Thursday I
headed down to speak at Grace Bible Fellowship Church in Quakertown, PA.
There was a tremendous turnout of men who came for dinner and to learn how
God is working in the racing community. Scott Martin accompanied me down and
we were welcomed with open arms. While there we met a couple of guys from
Sundance Vacations Speedway. They shared with me their desire to get
something started up there. Please pray that the Lord will provide the
workers to minister there.
We also want to thank Pastor Ron Kohl, Dave Sterner and the entire crew who
worked to make the night a success. We were blessed by the interest they
showed in our ministry.
RPM RACING NEWS- We welcome aboard the readers of
RPM to the AARN family and with their addition we welcome our own Rev. Bill
to the column. Bill is our Western PA/Ohio coordinator and contributed his
thoughts to RPM. We will now include his thoughts here along with the
occasional Bible teaching. Let’s let Bill give us a little background on
himself.
The late Rev. Pat Evans issued a call to those in the racing community to
join Racing With Jesus Ministries as chaplains in his weekly column in Area
Auto Racing News. The week before, my daughter Krissy and I had attended
Challenger Raceway and a driver was killed. Like most tracks, when a death
occurs, they cancelled the rest of the night’s program and sent us home. I
left answering my daughter’s questions and asking myself what I as an
ordained minister could do to help in this situation. Then the column in
AARN caught my eye and I contacted Pat. Thus began a journey as Chaplain at
Challenger Speedway, then Latrobe, and now Bedford and Blairsville. Pat
appointed me as Western PA/Ohio coordinator and I had the privilege of
recruiting Joan Smeltzer to serve as Chaplain at Jennerstown and Doug Wantz
at Lakeville. I am grateful to Pat for giving me this tremendous opportunity
to minister in the racing community.
About me: I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior in September of
1974. I am an ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren, and received
my Doctorate in 2004. So technically I am “Rev Dr Bill!” For the past 18
years I have served the Greensburg Church of the Brethren as its pastor.
On the personal side, I have been married to Dawn for almost 28 years and we
have three daughters: Amanda, Kristen, and Danielle - all three out of the
house for now. I have been a life long race fan and served on a pit crew
with my dad and brother for a dirt latemodel. Now I cheer on my niece,
Morgan, and nephew, Patrick, as they race their go-karts.
About 10 years ago, Dave Kittey took a big chance and allowed me to begin a
column called “Victory Lap” in RPM. Along with some sort of Bible teaching
or reflections, I instituted a section called “IMHO.” There I shared
thoughts on all sorts of racing events and issues. I am grateful for the
start that Dave gave me. With the sale of RPM to Area Auto Racing News, I
have been given the opportunity to share with all of you along with Rev. Don
and Rev Dan. IMHO lives on and occasionally I will be sharing some Bible
teachings as well.
So begins a new chapter and I invite your comments and questions. Contact me
at revbill87@comcast.net, 724-832-6436, or at 703 Green Street, Greensburg,
PA 15601.
IMHO (In My
Humble Opinion)
Some thoughts from Rev. Bill
-Goodbye Lowes Motor Speedway. Welcome back Charlotte
Motor Speedway!
-Well I am still waiting for an apology from the Cheap Seats…Seems my
writing about Danica coming to play in the NA$CAR sandbox has come true.
Calling me a rumor mongerer or something of the like…
-Sad to see the end of the MACS organization. I have enjoyed my association
with the Geeseys over the years. (probably more than they did) and I think
they did a lot of good for racing in their years. I am not going to Monday
morning quarterback what went wrong. I do know that life and racing often
involves changes and beginnings are balanced by endings.
-Glad to see that Stan Lasky will be back promoting Motordrome. Honestly, if
I wasn’t at Bedford on Friday nights, I would be there. For an asphalt
track, they put on a good show and I think Stan does a great job. Check out
their schedule and go see a race or two or three at the ‘Drome.
-Stoneybrook’s schedule for 2010 contains an interesting intermission
entertainment in that on 9/3 the Shriner’s Cycle and Motorcorps teams will
be there in conjunction with “Race for the Cause.” Neat idea and a good
cause to support.
-I can think of no one better to be President of the Modified tour than Lou
Long.
-I will be back at Blairsville as photographer/Chaplain.
As the new season begins, join my in prayer for all those involved in our
sport that first of all, God will keep us safe and second that in our
actions, we would live out the “Golden Rule” of do unto others as we would
have them do to us.
-There were sprints in the pits at Lernerville for their opener. Lou Long
last week covered the pre-season maneuverings that had many teams and fans
considering a boycott of tracks. Rumors are that not everyone is happy with
the results.
-Thank you to Don and Dan for this opportunity. I hope that my words will
not force you to stock up on Tums like I am sure Pat had to!
Be a witness for our Lord with the ministry decals and apparel. See them at
the Show Your Faith Apparel Store at
www.rwjm.com. Send us your prayer and counseling needs no matter what
part of our racing family you are in, or give us a call. 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
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Check our home page
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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***
April
19
JIM & DORIS TROMBLY - The Pit Steward and Credentials manager wife at
the Hudson (NH) Speedway have their 40th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
April 14
JOHNNY RUMLEY - Winston-Salem, NC NNS driver.
JEFF ANDRETTI - Bethlehem, PA Indy Car/NSC/NNS driver; Mario's
youngest son.
PAUL SACKS - Son of NSC driver Greg.
DICK FEARN - Feeding Hills, MA dad of ProStock driver Tom.
April 15 - TAX FILING DEADLINE
BOBBY HUTCHENS - NC Modified driver.
JIM RAYMOND - Earlville, NY crewman on the Mitch Gobbs dirt Mod.
April 16
JERRY HIGBIE - Orange County Fairgrounds Speedway
Modified driver.
ROCKY DeMATO - Brookfield, CT Mod crewman.
April 17
JOHN FLACH - Lebanon Valley based Mod driver.
MIKE CHASE - Concord, NC NASCAR West 1994 champion/ NASCAR Truck and
LMSC driver.
RICH DeLONG - North Hills, Ca NASCAR West driver.
JOEY KOURAFAS - Retired Mass. NASCAR KNPSE driver.
TONY GLOVER - Sprint Cup Crew Chief.
DANIELLE HEDGER - NY based NASCAR KNPSE Brown Racing Crew Chief Ray's
wife.
HOWARD & CAROL LARSON - This Stafford Springs, CT NASCAR WMT couple
share the same birthday.
April 18
JOHNNY DENNISTON - This LI tow truck operator who hangs
out at Riverhead and has been know to frequent the WMT stops in Connecticut
has his special day. Rev. Pat, we’re still looking out for him.
GEOFF BODINE - The oldest of the racing Bodine brothers of Chemung,
NY.
JIM HAWKEY - Wall Township Speedway Modified driver.
ROBERT TYLER LABONTE - Son of NSC driver Bobby and wife Donna is 15.
CHELSEA MARQUIS - A daughter of Enfield, CT NASCAR CWES/WMT driver
Jerry and wife Karen is 13.
April 19
JACK ROUSH - NSC/NNS/Trans-Am multi-team owner.
ROBERT YATES - Noted engine builder, NSC team owner.
BOB AILES - St. Johnsbury, VT LM driver.
April 20
ED SPENCER III - Berwick, PA NASCAR Cup/NNS driver
Jim's nephew.
RON BARFIELD, JR. - Florence, SC NASCAR CWTS/ All Pro Series driver.
DON DesROCHER - Retired Riverside Park Speedway driver.
RICH PAWLICH - Rocky Hill, CT Modified fan.
FRANCIS STODDARD - NSC Crew Chief for Boris Said.
BILL BALSER - Norton, MA veteran photographer.
KELLI BIRKBECK - Pawcatuck, CT, a huge fan of Kasey Kahne and Joey
Lagano.
*** NEW BEGINNINGS ***
HENRY (HANK) NATALE - Hank died this past week as
the result of injuries he received in a accident at his home. Hank was a
friend to many on the Whelen Modified Tour having served in many capacities
including chief mechanic. Please keep his family, the entire #2 Whelen
Modified Team and the larger racing family in you prayers as we grieve the
loss of our friend.
Walter Elliot and family are in need of prayer as two of their sons recently
died in an auto accident in North Carolina. There are many challenges they
face in the coming weeks. Please lift them up in your prayers. Condolences
can be directed to James Dobson, 160 South Orange Ave., Apt. 1602, Newark,
NJ 07102
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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