HE LIVES
by Rev. Don Rivers

Luke 24:1-9, NIV, On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: `The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.' "Then they remembered his words.

When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others.

   As we celebrate Easter and the resurrection of our Savior we start to understand the road Jesus walked was a difficult one. He endured death on a cross. He endured the mockery of a trial. He endured the ridicule. He endured the beating. He did not speak against those who put him through the trial and crucifixion. He accomplished what God the Father sent him to do.

   Like many things in life, the celebration doesn’t come without working through some difficulties. Those are the celebrations that we remember most, the ones with the most difficult road. Billy Graham said, “Mountain tops are for views and inspiration, but fruit is grown in the valleys.”

   Jesus didn’t throw a big party, he didn’t have a victory parade; he simply did what he said he would do. He told those close to him what to expect. However, because he did something that no one had ever seen before it was difficult for them to understand. In fact, even his closest followers didn’t understand or believe him. Listed to their reaction when the women returned with the news:

Luke 24:11-12, NIV, But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense.
Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves,
and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.

   How many of us would have believed it? How many of us believe it today? The Son of God rose from the grave and conquered death? He has the power over the one thing we fear most in life, death. We can find a peace in that. We can find hope.

   Who do we turn to when you need to overcome our fear? We turn to someone who has overcome it. We seek out someone who has experience in dealing with what we are faced with. We look for support, comfort, mercy, encouragement, and guidance. We want to be assured that we can get through the challenges we face.

   Christ assured us that we could, if we trust in him. He endured the most difficult death we could imagine. He rose victorious from the grave. An empty tomb is our hope. Never has something so empty been so powerful. The empty tomb has the ability to change the direction of our lives.

   In the emptiness we can find the courage to trust that Jesus is able to overcome whatever obstacles we face. We can find the strength to overcome even our fear of death. I encourage you today to look into the tomb, see the scraps of linen; realize that our Savior lives and that we can live also.

   I close with the words from an old hymn that always lifts me up; Because He Lives

God sent His son, they called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal, and forgive.
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.

   You too can face the challenges ahead because the tomb is empty; HE LIVES!
 

   THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
   
   A WILD WEATHER WEEKEND IN VIRGINIA - As many of you know the weather over the last weekend was anything but peaceful in North Carolina and Southern Virginia. Our thoughts and prayers go out to those who lost the most precious gift of all, their lives. Things can be replaced, but life is precious and for those families who have experienced such a loss our heart goes out to them. Please join with us as we continue to pray for the areas of this world that have suffered great losses, Japan, Haiti, United States.

   We were close to ground zero this weekend, a tornado passed across highway 58 just ten miles east of South Boston, VA. As we drove through the downed trees and power lines it was hard to imagine the force required to level the landscape. The pictures out of Raleigh, NC and surrounding area show the devastation. We are thankful that we were kept safe.

   Saturday’s events were postponed to Sunday with the threat of the violent weather. This was a case of heeding the warning and making sure no one was put in danger. I know it is a difficult call to make and probably was not the best financial decision, but when you consider the threat and the potential for a catastrophe I commend to folks that made the call.

   With a short schedule on Sunday the cooperation of everyone was needed. Sunday went off great and stayed pretty close to schedule. All involved, South Boston Speedway, NASCAR and the competitors pulled it off and deserve kudos for a job well done.

   In the end the fastest car did not take home the victory for the K&N Pro Series, Brett Moffit took the lead and was running away when he got tangled up with a car that had spun. His car was unable to finish and his hope of sweeping the first two races of the season was gone. Sergio Pena was running in second and fought off a late race restart to win his first race in the K&N Pro Series, congratulations goes out to the entire Revolution Racing Team for a job well done.

   The Whelen Modified Southern Tour was on hand to add to the excitement. This race would be without one of the stars of the series and last years champion Burt Meyers. Burt was driving a Super Modified and crashed causing some internal injuries that prevented him from competing. There was good news though, he was checked out of the hospital on Sunday morning and was able to watch the race from the press box. I am sure that was little consolation for someone who would rather be on the track competing, but considering his injuries, just being at the track was an answer to prayer.

   When the checkered flag waved a northern invader on a hot streak would take home the glory. TC driving Joe Brady’s machine took home the top prize. I talked with Teddy before the race and his hand is healing up nicely, he soon will be able to use all his fingers when he waves to you.

   With the day complete we headed home with the thought of celebrating Easter this weekend with our families. Please take the time to enjoy the holiday. We’ll be back at in couple of weeks, hope to see you at a track near you.

   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.
 

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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 21
JAMES & IONEY WARNER- This Martinsville Speedway infield staffer and wife, both close friends of Rev. pat, celebrate their 13th anniversary.

April 22
ROGER & MELISSA HORVATH- This NY ELS Sprint driver and wife have their 16th anniversary.
J.J. & KELLY MICHAELS- This Small Block Modified driver at Fulton and Utica-Rome Speedways in New York and his wonderful wife Kelly share their 12th anniversary.

April 23
PAUL & MICHELLE McELEARNEY- This veteran Riverhead Raceway LM driver and wife have their anniversary today.

April 26
MIKE AND SHARON TALLMAN- A crewman on the Thompson Speedway Modified driven by Sharon's brother Tom Tagg and his wife have anniversary 25.

***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***

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 DesROCHERs- Retired Riverside Park Speedway driver, father os SKMod driver Heather.
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.

April 21
JIM BRODRICK- A close personal friend of Rev. Pat's from Brookfield, CT on semi-retirement from WMT and Sk mods and concentrating on son Bobba's carreer.
RANDY GLENSKI- NY D.I.R.T. Mod driver.
STEVE BARRICK- Flemington, NJ President of Program Dynamics which produces weekly programs for track all over the East Coast.
STEPHANIE SHAW- Mom of Center Conway, NH KNPSE driver DJ and wife of former driver Dale.

April 22
BOB HOWARD- Colorado Springs, CO NASCAR West driver.

April 23
ROBBIE CROUCH- Burlington, VT's "Tampa Tornado" retired NASCAR KNPSE/LM driver.
JASON KELLER- Greensville, SC NNS driver.
P.J. JONES- Rolling Hills, CA Indy car/ NASCAR Truck series driver.
CHUCK GAFRARAR- Team Penske fabricator.
AL ROBINSON- World-wide race announcer and Storyteller extraordinaire.
J.J. O'MALLEY- Al's buddy and the PR Director at Watkins Glen Speedway.
BOB PRATT- A brother of Joe Pratt, NJ Mod driver Ed and uncle of sportsman driver Richie Pratt, Jr.
MICHELLE McELEARNEY- The wife of Commack, NY Riverhead LM driver, Paul.

April 24
RICK SCHAFFER- Woxall, PA all-time winningest Mod driver at Grandview.
HERMIE SADLER- Emporia, VA NNS/NSC driver.
ED FLEMKE- Southington, CT NASCAR WMT Modified driver/ chassis builder.
CHERYL MARKS- Grandview Souvenier Stand Manager.
LINDA GOLDEN- Daughter of retired Midget owner Joe Sukup from Schodack Landing, NY.
WALTER NEWCOMB- Keeper of the cup, this Long Island native is a big Modified fan.

April 25
BOB KLUKUS- Crewmember on the WMT and at Stafford Motor Speedway.
BILL HENDERSON- Owner of a KARS Sprint team at Williams Grove.
MIKE LENMAN- Driver of Bill Henderson's KARS Sprint.
RAY MILLER- Former driver of the Henderson KARS Sprint.
JOHN MICHALOWSKI, JR.- From Riverhead, NY, now driving LMSC in NC.
CHET THOMPSON- Former Wall Township Speedway driver, now G.S.U.S.C.E. member and race fan.
SHAWN PODZIEWSKI- KNPSE crewman.
CHRISTINA CASAGRANDE- Sister of Riverhead Blunderbust driver Bob.
AARON MICHAEL COX- One of Rev. Pat's cousin Bob and wife Tracy Cox' children down in Boyertown, PA.
BILL DIMMICH- Slatington, PA Former Pocono 500 chief announcer and TV host.

April 26
JIMMY KITCHENS- Birmingham, AL NNS/NW driver.
JUNIOR MILLER- Winston-Salem, NC WSMT 2005 Chmpionship driver.
RON SHEPHERD- From NY, now in NC driving Modifieds and Concord Motorsports Park Super LMSC.
ROGER GODIN- Maine LM driver.
ALLEN MONETTE- NH ProStock driver.
RON & ED PROVOST- Oxford Plains Speedway official and son.

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Tolland, CT, 06084

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Source: Rev Don Rivers / Racing With Jesus Ministries
Posted: April 22, 2011