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  The Chrome Horn - Racing With Jesus Ministries

   02/03/2012

ADJUSTING OUR FOCUS
by Rev. Don Rivers

   As I shared with you we are going to park here for a few weeks for our Winter Bible Study. We need to really spend some time digesting Paul’s words and understanding the significance they have for our live. We need to get this right. Glad to have you along for the ride. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

   Let’s tackle the first few verses of our passage;

Colossians 3:1-4; Since, then, you have been raised with Christ,
set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died,
and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life,
ppears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

   Have you noticed the growing trend in the sports world? Instant replay, they are using it everywhere, even in racing. They have been using it more and more to figure out what happened on the field of competition. In the name of getting the call right we have turned to recorded pictures. But not just in sports, they are using it more and more in everyday life.

   You might wonder why. They say a picture is worth a thousand words. The pictures that freeze time and allow us to study the events show one glaring weakness we have as humans; we see what we want to see.

   Many times when a video or picture is presented to an eye witness the facts differ from what is remembered. I know from personal experience, having been the witness of an accident. What I saw was different than what happened. I saw a man/boy driving the car when in fact it was a woman/girl. I saw one person in the car when in fact there were more. Things aren’t always what we see.

   You know the story, you pinched down on me, no you moved up on me. Let’s go to the video. I get used to having my bubby Bob Yurko around at Thompson and Monadnock, he shoots the video and I can check it out when there is a question on the track. It is a tremendous help when you need to settle the discussion. Sometimes it isn’t the way I witnessed it at all.

   I am sure you have seen instant replay used on the news, video of a crime, pictures of the perpetrator and a call for help identifying those involved. Just last week I saw one and it really bothered me. It was in Philadelphia and these kids decided to beat up this older man, for the fun of it.

   It is a sad commentary on the state on the world we live in. We think we are so good. We think we have made so many advancements. We think the world is a better place.

   Read this and tell me what you think, Luke 10:30-35;

In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers.
They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going
down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the
place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when
he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man
on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to
the innkeeper. `Look after him,' he said, `and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'

   Jesus was having a conversation with someone who thought he was good, not only good but better than others. This man wanted to justify himself, he knew the law but he wanted Jesus to tell him he was good.

   Things haven’t changed much have they? These two accounts are so similar it is frightening. We still have people running the streets preying on people they feel don’t deserve to live. Truth be told, as a society we really haven’t advanced much. Human nature is and always will be the same. No matter how we try to mask it and hide it, when we are left to our own devices we will do despicable things.

Colossians 3:2; Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Luke 10:27; Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and
with all your mind' and love your neighbor as yourself.

   Jesus instructed us that this is the basis for life, a life worth living. When you adjust your focus from the things of this world to the things of God we start to see people differently. We start to value people the way God values people. We treat them with respect and honor. This isn’t something new, it is the same teaching that God taught Israel through Moses when he handed down His commandments for living. Take a look at chapter five and six of Deuteronomy, it’s in there.

   It seems so easy but yet it is a challenge. We struggle to keep our life focused on the things that truly matter, people. We find it so easy to get caught up in the everyday distractions of this world, drawn into the petty and destructive behaviors of others. We need to break free from the confines of this earthly existence and turn our thoughts and hearts to those things that are of God.

   Do you know what happens when we focus on something? Our bodies follow the desired path to accomplish the task.

   We are sliding on an icy road, in more ways than one! Do you know what happens if you fix your eyes on the telephone pole? We hit it. Do you know what happens if we focus on the middle of the road ahead of you? That’s where we end up.

   Our mind takes over our body and controls it to accomplish what we are focused on.

   Listen to what Jesus taught to his disciples;

Matthew 6:27-34; "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other,
or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

   Jesus tries to help us understand that we need to adjust our focus. It is not about us, it is about serving God. The only true life worth living is a life focused on loving God and serving Him. We need to break free from the chains of this world.

   The only thing we can bring with us into heaven is the lives that we touch with the love of Christ; the lives that we change with the love of Christ. The lives we give hope to with the love of Christ.

   I am sure the man that was beaten and robbed, whether in biblical times or just last week in Philadelphia appreciated the caring and compassion he received. I am sure they felt the hand of God touch them as they lay dying on the side of the road. I am sure they are truly thankful for the willingness of someone to step in and save them.

Matthew 6:19-21; 19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy,
and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth
and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is,
there your heart will be also.

   We need to adjust our focus. We need to change our priorities. We need to practice the things that honor God. We need to bow at His feet and beg His forgiveness. We need to show the world the love of Christ.

   We are not there yet, it is a struggle to break free from the grip this world has on us. We struggle, worry, get anxious and lose faith. We allow the world to seduce us with its offers of fame, fortune, the easy life. We must fight against that. We must make every effort to break out of the habits the world teaches us. We must see as God sees. We must see lives that are so valuable to God that he sacrificed His son’s life for them.

   We must set our hearts and minds on things above.
 

   THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD

   HEADED SOUTH - I have a couple of things to do this week down in the Charlotte area. I’ll be heading down the long way, Long Island that is. After a quick stop to see the folks at ASI and finally get the new hood wrap installed, Carolina here I come.

   I am excited about what Friday holds; we have some meetings scheduled with the purpose of bringing together several ministry groups and work out how we might cover some additional responsibilities this coming season. Watch this column; I hope to have some exciting news to announce in the coming weeks.

   From there it’s over to Mooresville for the Legends Helping Legends event. They will honor the Flock Family this year. We will be there on Saturday February 4, 2012 from 10am-2pm at Memory Lane Museum, 769 River Hwy, Mooresville NC. If you are in the area stop by and say hello.

   I will miss going to Atlantic City for some great indoor action, Ricky Maddox will be there this year, with Bob Menschner lending support, to lift you up and stand along side. I have plans to be at the Providence event. I can’t go a winter without seeing some indoor racing!

   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.

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   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***

February 1
GREG & VICKIE SACKS- The Long Island native NSC driver and wife have their 37th anniversary.
TONY & SANDY URBINA- This Riverhead LM driver and wife have their 21st anniversary.

February 2
JIM & GERRI RICHARDS- This former driver at the former Plainville Stadium from Ansonia, CT and wife share their 49th.

February 3
HERMIE & ANGIE SADLER- The Emporia, VA NSC/NNS driver and wife have their 16th.

***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***

February 1
DAN AVERY- Somersville, CT NASCAR WMT/SMS SK driver.
JANICE WOLF- Riverhead Mod driver Scott's mom.

February 2
ELIZABETH AYOTTE- Mom of Augusta, ME writer/ Track promoter Dan.
JEAN WENZEL- Mom of Riverside Park LM driver, Chris.
JACOB MALACHI JAMES- The youngest son of Scott and his wife Lisa.

February 3
TEXX, "MIKE" FRENCH-KNPSE former crewmember for ASM.
BOBBY GADA- Niantic, CT Waterford Speedbowl Modified driver of the multi-time Harry Wyant championship team.
MIKE TICCO- Lancaster (NY) Speedway writer.
DAVID BACHMAN- Son of Pennsy based former ARDC scorer, Jennifer Bachman.This No. 1 fan of John Marcovic and Eric Beers.

February 4
TOM BOLLES- Vernon, CT NASCAR WAAS driver, of the Bolles Motors family; sponsor of the RWJM Dodge Intrepid Pace Car.
FREDDIE QUERY- Kannapolis, NC All Pro, NASCAR Truck driver.
JOHN BARBER- Buss, NY NASCAR KNPSE driver.
BILLY KANN- NASCAR KNPSW driver.
ERIC PALMER- New England Pro Four Mod driver.
SUSAN STRUPP- Wife of former Long Islander, now in Charlotte, Jimmy.
TAYLOR BRIAN CUMMINS- The daughter of New Jersey fans Brian and Lori.

February 5
DARRELL WALTRIP- Former NSC driver, turned TV race commentator, from Franklin, TN.
JUSTIN LABONTE- NNS/ARCA driving son of NSC driver Terry and wife Kim.
RICKY PEARSON- NNS Crew Chief, one of retired driver David's sons.
MATT DILLNER- Long Island brother to Speed's Bobby.
ROBERT "SATCH" SAVAGE- Originally from N.J. now in NC as a fabricator at Hendricks Motorsports.

February 6
PAUL GENTILOZZI- Lansing, MI IMSA GTO driver.
BOBBY BROWN- Farmingdale,NJ based Dwarf Car driver/owner.
GLEN FLACK- President of AutoWorks Performance, Inc. in Sewell, NJ and Atco Raceway SuperPro drag racer.
STEVE FULLER- One of the seven brothers in the famous Auburn, MA racing family including NNS's Jeff and Rick and NASCAR WMT team owner Bobby.
PETER SNOW- Southbridge, MA NASCAR WMT Team crewman.
GRACIE RYAN- Holyoke, MA racing photographer and WMT Scorer.

February 7
CLAY CAMPBELL- President of Martinsville, VA Speedway and KNPSE Driver.
WILL HOBGOOD- Winnsboro, SC former Dash Series driver.
BOBBY GAHAN- Barrington, NH NASCAR KNPSE/LM driver.
DICK KLUTH- Lancaster Speedway Modified driver.
DONNA SCHAFFER- Wife of Woxall, PA Sportsman Modified driver Rick, Grandview Speedway's all-time winningest Modified driver.
MICHAEL HOPKINS- Son of CT based flagman Chris.
LORI D'AMORE- New Jersey fan.


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SEND THEM TO:

RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES
PO Box 586
Tolland, CT, 06084


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SourceRev Don Rivers / Racing With Jesus Ministries
Posted: February 3, 2012

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