Have you ever done something wrong? Seems like a simple question with a
simple answer, but why is it we forget that when it comes time to forgive
someone else for a mistake they made? Forgiveness is something we want to
receive but many times are not as willing to give. Greetings in the name of
our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Let me set the record straight, we all make mistakes. We all make
choices that seem right at the time but in retrospect they were not the
correct ones. That being said, why have we become a society that has
developed a less forgiving attitude?
We can all remember mistakes that have been made on and off the
track. At the moment when they occurred it seemed the whole season hinged on
them. After a little time passed their significance has waned and we move
on. Those are the ones that are easy to deal with. Other mistakes take on a
life of their own.
Forgive and forget; a familiar refrain, but one of the most
difficult things for us to do. We want to get back at the person who wronged
us. Racer’s, like elephants, have excellent memories. Most can recall on
track incidents that others have long since forgotten. Most won’t forget
until they settle the score.
We have a need to get even. We have our rights and no one is going
to take advantage of us. We say that we forgive but we will never forget.
These are many of the comments you hear when you encourage others to
forgive. We tend to be unforgiving people when it comes to others, but we
want to be forgiven when it comes to us.
As we continue our study we read;
Colossians 3:13-14;
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against
one another.
Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love,
which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Forgive as the Lord forgave you. To
fully understand that we need to talk about how the Lord forgave us. When we
understand that we know how we need to forgive others. We like to think we
are the exception to the rule but the fact remains we are all in the same
boat.
God does not accept our mistakes. God is right and just and
mistakes are not something that God can accept. God says all mistakes are
the same; big or small doesn’t matter, all mistakes fall into the category
of sin, missing the mark. We all have made them and all will have to pay the
penalty.
Romans 8:23; There is
no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
And the penalty is the same;
Romans 6:23a; For the
wages of sin is death
But look at the rest of that verse
and we start to see what God intends for us.
Romans 6:23b; but the
gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
God said I will make a way for your
mistakes to be forgiven; I will send My Son, Jesus Christ to pay the penalty
for you.
John 3:16-18; "For God
so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to
save the world through him.
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe
stands condemned already
because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.
Rev. Dan has spoken at chapel about
being a peacemaker. Jesus was the ultimate peacemaker. He gave his life so
that we could have peace with God. Jesus came, suffered, died and rose again
so that the penalty for our sin would be paid in full. We can receive that
payment by accepting it. It is a gift from God.
Ephesians 2:8-9; For
it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from
yourselves,
it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast.
Our Study passage reminds us;
Colossians 3:15a; Let
the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you
were called to peace…
God provided this opportunity for
forgiveness and we can receive it by accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and
Savior. When we do, we make peace with God, we restore our relationship with
Him, our sin is forgiven and remembered no more.
Before we embark on a new season, take a look back and see if there
are some people you need to forgive and make peace with. We are expected to
forgive as God forgave us. That means not because we deserve it but because
He loves us. Forgive not because they deserve it, but because God forgave
you.
We cannot experience the full blessing of God if we refuse to
forgive others. Our unwillingness to forgive implies that our standard is
greater than God’s. That is not correct; God’s standard is the only one that
counts. If God is willing to forgive us there is no reason we could have for
not forgiving others.
Make that commitment this week. Commit that you will go to the
people you have refused to forgive and forgive them. Don’t worry if they
refuse to accept it, many have refused to accept the forgiveness that God
offers. We are not called to make people accept our forgiveness, but to
offer the gift. Offer that gift to someone today. After all we are all in
the same boat.
THOUGHTS
FROM THE ROAD
THE DUNK - Indoor
racing, like putting the cars in a blender and turning it on whip! Nonstop
action that will make your head spin. I had to go up and sit in the stands;
I was spinning so many times on the floor trying to keep track of things I
got dizzy.
It was great to catch up with many of the drivers and hear their
plans for 2012. It was also good to see decent fan support for this event.
I, for one, wouldn’t mind seeing a few more races in the series. I know some
discussions are under way, maybe next year it will be four or five?
A man with more time on dirt than pavement proved to be the master
this weekend as Canadian Stewart Friesen won both features at The Dunk. Do
they even have Dunkin Donuts in Canada ? No worries he lives in New York , I
know they have them there.
Although the weather was more like spring, it was good to see
everyone and make plans for the upcoming season. Things will get going soon
with Waterford only a few weeks away.
This week the K&N Pro Series East gets underway Saturday night at
Bristol . Dan and I will be joined by Bobby Somers, who serves at Lee USA
Speedway and will travel with the Valenti Modified Racing Series this year
with help from his wife, Vinetta. Should be a good trip.
THE LEFT COAST - Our West Coast Coordinator has been busy as
the racing action has moved west. Gary Dionne filed this report;
With Phoenix last weekend and Vegas this weekend and some dirt
thrown in for good measure the West Coast racing scene is on!!! Phoenix last
weekend was my first trip for RWJM of the season. It was nice to visit with
friends in the Cup, Nationwide and K&NPS West. It was informative as well as
I attended the NASCAR safety seminar for the K&N series hosted by the NASCAR
R&D people. I had the opportunity to pray along with MRO Chaplain Bob
Butcher and his wife Cathy for the West drivers as they were staged for
their 50 lap race.
Next on the agenda was a trip to the Dirt Track at Las Vegas on
Thursday to open the World of Outlaws drivers meeting with prayer and
deliver the Invocation during opening ceremonies. This was my first
experience with the WOO group, they are great people. They welcomed me and
made me feel very much at home. I got to watch the races from the suites and
had a great tutor for my very first Outlaw Sprint car race, Dave Blaney.
With the cup guys in the neighborhood Dave was there along with his family
and answered all of this Rookies questions. It was a real pleasure spending
time with them; they are truly genuinely nice people.
Friday was spent at the paved track with the Cup and Nationwide
Series before a quick trip back to Southern California for the WOO show at
Perris Speedway.
Saturday I attended the WOO Sprint car races at Perris Ca.
Speedway. Again we were greeted by the WOO’s friendly staff and opened the
driver’s meeting with prayer. It is really special to be involved with The
World Racing Group, an organization that is putting the Lord first and
including prayer at every drivers meeting.
I had the opportunity to speak with several drivers and team
members there. I also got to spend some time with Dana Kinser, The Kings
wife. She is a real blessing to so many people. The On Track action was
thrilling!!! This is a week that I will never forget, it was AWESOME!!!
Take one last deep breath, racing season is here, crank it up!
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***
March 17
JEFF & JENNIFER ZUIDEMA- The North Brookfield, MA ProStock driver and wife
share their 22nd anniversary.
ERIC & CHERIE BEERS- The Northampton, PA Flemington and WMT driver and wife
have their 20th anniversary.
March 19
HAROLD & CINDY BURDICK- This Stafford Speedway announcing team member and
wife have thier 27th anniversary.
March 20
DAN & LYNN POZZUTO- The VP of Operations for the Saxonburg, PA Ed Ferree
corporations including Frankland Racing Supply rears and
Clincher Gears and wife Office manager for Frankland celebrate their 34th
anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
March 14
JACK BATEMEN- NH True Value Modified Promotor/driver/team owner.
PAT PUNCH- In Newton, NC, the wife of Brewco NNS Team manager, Dennis, who
is the brother of TV's Dr. Jerry.
ERIN & KARRI LARSEN- The twin daughters of NASCAR Mod Tour official Joe.
March 15
DEVIN HILTS- Brushton,NY go-kart driver.
PAT D'ANTONIO- Tuscon,AZ NASCAR West driver.
ROBBY PAGE- A young quarter midget driver.
March 16
ED FERREE- Pennsylvania Motor Speedway multi-time dirt big block LM
champion, proprietor of Frankland Racing Supply racing rears and
Clincher Gears.
JERRY CRANMER- Semi-retired NJ asphalt Modified and ARCA driver.
SHERRY BLAKELY- San Antonio, TX driver.
DAN MESERVEY- Chatham, MA Mini Modified driver, dad of Mod/NASCAR KNPSE
drivers Dan, Jr. and Doug.
BOB CASAGRANDE- Riverhead Raceway Blunderbust driver.
KATRINA SPENCER- Daughter of former NSC driver Jim and wife Pat.
BRANDON LEHMAN- A grown-up son of AARN columnist "Doc" from Smithville, OH.
March 17
DAVID BLAIN- No. Grosvenordale, CT LM driver.
KATHY ATTAYA- Wife of Tim, Producers of the Augusta, ME annual Motorsports
show.
March 18
ROGER LAURENO- Ivyland,PA multi-time Bridgeport(NJ) Speedway dirt Modified
champion.
March 19
BILL SEDGEWICK- Acton, MA NASCAR Truck team owner, neighbor of RWJM
Counselor Gary Dionne.
TONY TOSTE- Pismo Beach, CA NASCAR West driver.
HARRY RICE- Retired Waterford Speedbowl Mod driver.
RICK CERAVOLO- Crew Chief for the Dick Ceravolo owned CT Modified to be
driven by brother Todd.
FREIDA MAGLIO- Scranton, PA fan, Sal's wife.
ELLEN DAVIS- Girl friend/crew member of Bob "Mad Dog" Barker Garden State
Stock Car Club, Staten Islamd, NY
March 20
MARTY MEMBRINO- Waterbury, CT ProStock driver.
TOM FERN- Westport, CT LM driver; police officer.
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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