Sometimes what we expect and what happens are two different things. This
week’s events have taken us by surprise. Too many times we think we know
what tomorrow holds and feel secure. When the fact is, we do not know and
cannot control it. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus
Christ.
As I prepare to head south for an unscheduled trip I wondered, in
the face of difficult times where do we turn? I turn to my Lord and Savior.
The words of Billy Graham come to mind, “I don’t know what the future holds,
but I know who holds the future.” I too know who holds the future; God.
When we find ourselves at a loss for understanding the events of
today we need to turn to God, He knows tomorrow, He has plans for us; He can
deliver us through the difficulties, grief and sense of loss.
Listen as Peter, one of the Apostles, had his hope in Christ. You
see Peter knew what it was to be hopeless; he denied knowing Christ. He
experienced both extremes, being a close companion of Jesus and being
totally separated from him.
Peter understood the difference that having Christ in your life
makes. He knew that without Christ life was not worth living. Without Christ
the blessing of God would not be on our life. Without Christ we have no
hope.
Peter took the time to encourage us to tell people of the hope we
have in Christ. He knew that it was important for everyone to know that life
is different when your hope is in Christ. For those of us who have accepted
Christ as our Lord and Savior, Peter gave us some instructions on how we
should share that hope.
1Peter 3:8-10;
Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love
as brothers,
be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with
insult, but with blessing, because to this
you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
If we have a hope in Christ we will
live like it; we will be humble, show compassion and sympathy. We will value
what God values and be focused on the things of God. Let me ask you, how has
your life changed because you have hope in Christ?
Each of our lives has a story, we have a history. When we come to a
saving knowledge of Jesus Christ our life direction changes, we do an about
face and head down the road that leads to God.
We have three aspects of our lives that tell the story of hope. We
have the person we were; when we lived by our own rules, when we directed
our own path, when we determined what was best for us.
Along that journey we encountered Christ; someone, some place,
somehow we were introduced to Jesus. We came to understand hope, forgiveness
and the life he offers. Our heart was led to accept the gift of His grace
and we became a child of God.
Live begins anew, we are born-again. The life that God has for you
begins and now God directs your path and determines what is best for you. We
grow to understand that this is a life worth living; this is a life full of
hope.
Our relationship with our Savior begins with hope; hope that comes
with a fresh start. The world only has hope when we show them the love of
Christ. We need to share that hope with others. We can set them free in
Christ. We can give them hope for the forgiveness of their sins.
1Peter 3:15;
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an
answer to everyone
who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
We will miss those who have passed
this week; all have had an impact on our lives. They have inspired us,
taught us, nurtured us and helped us become the people we are today. Join
with me as we lift up the families that are hurting from the losses they
suffered.
RODGER HILL - Along with his
wife Sandra, they were the driving force behind Hillbilly Racing. Rodger was
a fixture on the Modified Tour; as a driver, crew chief, owner, but most of
all a racer. Florida in February or North Carolina in November and every
place in between, Hillbilly Racing supported Tour Modified Racing. Rodger
was always there. He was someone you could talk to. He always had time to
discuss things. His temperament was that of a southern gentleman. The
Modified Family has lost someone special.
I will miss the talks we had about the weather and who provided the
better conditions; North or South. Didn’t matter we raced through it all. My
thoughts and prayers go out to Sandra, David and the entire Hill family. God
Speed Rodger.
BILL SWEET Sr. - I received a
note from Bill Jr. letting us know that Bill Sweet Sr. passed away after a
brief illness on the afternoon of December 26, 2011. He was surrounded at
the time of his passing by his loving wife of 56 years, Shirley, as well as
his son Bill Jr., daughter Delene, daughter in law Janice, son in law Mike
and his beloved grandson Brent. He was a two time champion (‘67 and ‘68) at
the Waterford Speedbowl with over 40 feature wins. After retiring in the
late 70's and being away from the track for decades, he returned to the
"Bowl" in 2011 to see his cherished grandson compete weekly in the SK Mod
division. The smile of pride on his face we will remember forever.
WILMA ARUTE - Wilma (Carrier)
Arute, 81 of Avon, died unexpectedly on Sunday, January 1, 2012. She was the
daughter of Lucien and Philomena (Henchert) Carrier. She was born in
Leominster, MA and was a resident of New Britain for most of her life. She
was a member of St. Maurice Church. She was a loving mother, grandmother and
great grandmother. She is survived by her devoted children and their
spouses; Wayne and Lori Arute of Avon, David and Jane Arute of Southington,
Robert and Tammy Arute of Tolland, Heidi and Douglas Howarth of Pepperrell,
MA, Daniel and Michelle Arute of Bedford, NH, Mark and Lisa Arute of
Tolland, CT and Jack Arute of Hampdon, MA. She leaves nine beloved
grandchildren who were her pride and joy; Sara, Alexandra, Victoria,
Kristin, Amanda, Paul, David and Danielle Arute, and Jennifer Jones, She
also leaves three great grandchildren, Evan, Nate and Jason and several
nieces and nephews.
Sometimes life can be difficult to understand, we are not sure of
what tomorrow may bring. I encourage you to live this day and honor God.
Tomorrow will take care of itself. Until next time, 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. 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 15
TONY & BRENDA HIRSCHMAN- This Northampton, PA NASCAR WMT/CWSE GRAND NATIONAL
championship driver and wife share their 34th anniversary.
January 16
STEVE & TAMMY WOOD- This New Jerseyite, now in Mooresville, NC and wife
share their 13th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
January 11
BRETT BODINE - Chemung, NY former cup driver now in R&D for NASCAR.
PETE SILVA - Leicester, NC LMSC driver, a former Maine hotshoe.
BOB RANDALL - Maine LM driver.
GAVIN WILLIAM STAKEY- The son of Stafford LM driver Cliff and wife Lorna.
ERIC LONGACRE- Against All Odds Racing's Tammy's son.
January 12
BOBBY DRAGON - Milton, VT K&NPSE driver.
KERRY TEAGUE - Concord, NC NSC/NNS driver.
MATTHEW KOCHER- This Quarter Midget driver at Blue Mountain QMRA is
Berlinsville, PA, and son of Kerri Sue and Eric Kocher, Mahoning Valley Mod
driver, turns 13.
RUSH LIMBAUGH - New York, NY Indy car fan; radio host.
January 13
ERNIE IRVAN - Salinas, CA Sprint Cup retired driver.
TIM NOONER - Las Vegas, NV NASCAR Truck driver
KEVIN ALLEN - of New Milford, Ct is a crew member at Stafford Speedway.
January 14
SCOTT DEWARE - South Easton, MA NASCAR K&NPSE and GT driver.
TONY DIAS, JR. - Son of Riverside, RI Seekonk ProStock driver, Tony, Sr.
JASON THOMAS - A grown-up son of Maine based "Racin' Paper" Publisher and
Editor, Mark.
January 15
TIM CONNOLLY- Endwell, NY Mod Series driver.
DENNIS DOYLE- Plymouth, CT former NASCAR KNPSE driver.
DAVE LAMPRON- Gorham, ME driver.
January 16
TIM ARRE- Toms River, NJ WMT and Wall Township Speedway driver and past
S.M.A.R.T. Modified champion.
A.J. FOYT- Houston, TX retired Indy car great turned team owner.
DAVE ROSENFIELD- Bridgewater, MA ProStock driver.
January 17
ERIC BODINE- Chemung, NY Former NASCAR KNPSE driver.
LAKE SPEED- Kannapolis, NC retired NSC driver and unashamed Christian.
ERIN VENTH- Daughter of former Harbach X90 Modified crewman George Venth.
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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