Have you ever made a commitment to do something only to rethink it later and
decide not to follow through? One of the challenges we face today is keeping
our word, being who we say we are. The word accountable comes to mind as we
continue our Winter Bible Study. Greetings in the name of our Lord and
Savior, Jesus Christ.
As we prepare for the Celebration of the Resurrection, Easter
Sunday, next week, we first have to realize that Jesus had to be wiling to
follow through with the plan. He made a commitment to his Father that he
would follow through. When it came time for the plan to be complete, the
cost was high, the suffering was great, the road difficult to walk. I am
thankful that Jesus fulfilled the plan.
Luke 22:42, nlt,
“Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me.
Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”
I think we see the least loyalty in
the world of sports as it relates to teams and players. For the sake of
money, wins and egos players, teams and franchises change location. I still
do not think the Indianapolis Colts should be allowed to use that name. And
what about the NBA, the Lakers in LA? Do you know they were called the
Lakers because they were located in Minnesota, land of 10,000 lakes? And
don’t get me started on the Dodgers or Braves!
There are many examples of franchises switching horses mid stream
for the sake of a better deal. Don’t get me wrong, I think we all need to
make the changes necessary for us to be the best we can be, but let’s not
just jump ship on a whim. God has put a plan in place for our lives and if
we deviate from the course because the going gets rough then we will miss
the blessing that perseverance brings.
Charles Schultz once wrote, “The grass is always greener on the
other side of the fence until you get over there and discover it is
artificial turf.”
Racing is no better than other sports, things change every year, we
call it silly season. Race fans are pretty tolerant though, they get a new
wardrobe every year. As sponsors change, colors change, styles change. We
don’t have to worry about something wearing out, before it can wear out the
driver, team or track has a different sponsor. Be honest now, how many of
you have a t-shirt in the drawer that you haven’t worn because the sponsor
changed before you could wear it?
One of the things that I miss, and I am sure I am not alone, are
things you can count on. Things that will always be there no matter what
tomorrow brings. I am a big fan of those who have stood by their
commitments, allowed themselves to be held accountable to the promises they
made and persevere through the challenges to reap the blessings that come
from a hard road traveled. Jesus would be the one I turn to for that
example.
Philippians 2:3-11; Do
nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider
others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own
interests, but also to the interests of others.
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very
nature God, did not consider equality with
God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very
nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became
obedient to death-- even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is
above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and
under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the
Father.
As we continue to discuss the
passage from Colossians we come to an interesting challenge, hold each other
accountable. In today’s world if the going gets tough, we change direction.
We take the path of least resistance. We don’t stand up for what is right
and just in the eyes of God. We just let things happen. We call it being
politically correct, when, in fact, it is tearing the world we live in
apart.
We have lost something very valuable in our society, our word. A
contract, written or spoken, means nothing. If the tables turn and things
are not going in our favor, we just walk away. There is much to be said for
those who persevere through the challenges; they will see the blessings of
God.
Think about Christ and the plan for his life. Jesus, the one who
possess all power and authority must set that aside, come into the world as
a baby, allow yourself to be raised by a family and when you are thirty
three you will die a horrific death at the hands of the people you came to
save. I am reminded of the poem, One Solitary Life;
He was born in an obscure village, the child of a
peasant woman.
He grew up in another village, where He worked in a carpenter shop until He
was 30.
Then for three years He was an itinerant preacher.
He never wrote a book.
He never held an office.
He never had a family or owned a house.
He didn't go to college.
He never traveled more than 200 miles from the place He was born.
He did none of the things one usually associates with greatness.
He had no credentials but Himself.
He was only 33 when public opinion turned against Him.
His friends deserted Him.
He was turned over to His enemies and went through the mockery of a trial.
He was nailed to a cross between two thieves.
When He was dying, His executioners gambled for His clothing, the only
property He had.. . . on earth.
When He was dead, He was laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a
friend. Nineteen centuries have come and gone,
and today He is the central figure of the human race, the leader of
mankind's progress.
All the armies that ever marched, all the navies that ever sailed, all the
parliaments that ever sat, all the kings that ever reigned, put together,
have not affected the life of man on earth as much as that One Solitary
Life.
Jesus fulfilled the plan of His
Father, He persevered through the challenges; physical, mental and
spiritual, He ran the good race, He finished the course, and He is seated at
the right hand of God. He intercedes for us for the forgiveness of our sins.
He is our Hope and Salvation.
As we prepare to celebrate the Resurrection remember that before
there could be a resurrection someone had to walk through the valley of the
death. Someone had to persevere through the challenges. Someone had to be
accountable and follow through despite the road that led to death, death on
a cross.
We must allow ourselves to be held accountable to the commitment we
made before God. To be held accountable to living a life that honors God, no
matter the challenges we face. We cannot allow ourselves to be led away form
God just because it is the easier way to go. We must persevere.
Find your self a good friend who knows you well. If you do not have
one, start building a relationship with someone. When you have someone to
walk by your side, help you maintain your focus on Christ, correct your
steps when they stray and pick you up when you fall, you will find it much
easier to honor God with your life. It may not always be comfortable, but it
will always be worth the effort.
THOUGHTS
FROM THE ROAD
BY THE GRACE OF GOD AND
600 HP - It is by the grace of God that we can be out here continuing to
serve you. He makes it all possible through people like you who have
partnered with us to bring the grace of God to the racing community. As we
get ready to roll into the racing season here in the Northeast we have
already been to many places throughout this country. We have already logged
many miles in our effort to embrace the plans God has put in place and reach
out to the racing community.
We have embarked on a great challenge in accepting the invitation
from The World Racing Group to help provide chaplain services to their
touring series; WOO Sprint Cars and Dirt Late Models. We are partnering with
Finish Line Chaplains and MRO to make every effort to serve the World of
Outlaws demanding schedule.
God continues to assemble a great team at RWJM to accomplish His
Plan. Steve Fowler has come on board; he resides in Montana and has already
worked along side during Speed Weeks in Florida. We have solidified our
presence on the Valenti Modified Racing Series, Bobby and Vinetta Somers
will head that effort. While Tara Stoehr leads out for the Northeastern
Midget Association with the help of Deb Marvuglio. Look for Bobby and Tara
to lead chapel on Palm Sunday at Waterford Speedbowl.
As we follow God and accept new responsibilities we discover the
need for additional resources. We share with you some of our needs with the
hope that God has put it on your heart to partner with us.
Travel expenses continue to be the greatest draw on resources. The
ever expanding race calendar has us in several different locations each
week. As God adds to our numbers we need to provide a safe travel
environment. We have immediate needs in this area.
Our pace cars have become an icon on the highways and byways of the
countryside. They serve a purpose in attracting attention to the name of
Christ. They are also a useful tool as we go and speak at various gatherings
in different communities. As such they do receive many miles and are in need
of updating.
A RV would help us meet the increasing needs of those we serve. It
would help save on hotel costs and give us a place to hang our hat at the
track. It would allow us to minister one on one in a private setting when
necessary. It would also allow us to be more flexible in our travel plans.
There are other opportunities for you to partner with RWJM; we
could use a trailer for storage and transporting ministry items to and from
events, along with the pace car behind the RV. We could also use a fuel
sponsor, a lodging sponsor and the opportunities are only limited by our
imagination.
These are some of the many needs we have as we embrace the mission
field that God has revealed to us. We stand ready to serve and promote those
who come on board as partners with us. We are a 501c3 charity registered
with the IRS and any gift we receive is eligible for a full tax deduction.
Please pray about how you might partner with us and expand our
ability to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the racing world. We are
excited as we look ahead. We are able to see God’s plan unfold before us.
Pray that we would honor God in all that we do..
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
http://www.rwjm.com/store. 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 29
BOBBY & DONNA LABONTE- The Corpus Christi, TX NSC driver and wife have their
20th anniversary.
***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***
March 28
BOB BREVAK- Ashalnd, WI ASA/ NASCAR Truck Series driver.
JAKE SMULLEY- Jake is the step-son of Big Diamond Former Promoter Fritz
Roehrig and son of Fritz's wife Krista. He was also Frit's right-hand man at
the track.
March 29
DOUG HEVERON- Liverpool, NY KNPS driver/spotter.
JEFF SCHMETZLE- PA Sportsman Modified driver.
JOE ROSENFIELD- Mass. ProStock driver.
RON FOX- Retired CT Modified driver, dad of Plainfield, CT Modified driver
Tom.
STEVE GEORGIADES- Crew Chief brother for brother Bobby's Stafford/Thompson
Modified team.
JOE CUDNIK, JR.- Crewman on the Enfield, CT Brad Hietala Modified team.
SHAWN HOULIHAN- KNPSE NASCAR flagman, son of retired WMT driver Dick.
THE REV. BILL WAUGH- RWJM Western PA Coordinator and Chaplain, also Pastor
at the Greensburg, PA Church of the Brethren.
March 30
MARIO ALBERTO- This AMSRA Micro Stock rookie at MVS and son of writer Dino
from Lehighton, PA.
March 31
RON SMOKER- Upstate, NY D.I.R.T. Modified driver.
S.J. EVONSION- East Hartland, CT Whelen Modified tour driver/Crew Chief for
son.
FRED SCHIELE IV- Son of Riverhead Raceway regular Fred III.
WILLIE CHARETTE- Retired Riverside Park Speedway Modified driver.
MARYANN GRECO- Widow of the late Stafford Modified driver George.
BRENDAN JONES- Manchester, CT Brad Hietala Modified fan.
BETTY DENNIS- The mom of Laura Dennis from Appomattox, VA a Jamie Tomaino
WMT fan.
April 1 - NO APRIL FOOLS
JIMMY PHELPS- This driver of the 99J New York dirt Modified from
Baldwinsville, NY celebrates.
JARRETT SENG- Orefield, PA Micro Sprint driver. Recognize the car by Bible
verse Hebrews 12: 1-2 on it.
SCOTT HOUSTON- NNS Crew Chief from Hickory, NC; a son of retired NNS great
Tommy.
FRANKLIN HIETALA- Dad of Enfield, CT Modified driver Brad.
MARTY NOLL- Scranton, PA NASCAR KNPSE driver.
GEORGE MAYLOTT, JR.- Jim Spencer fan.
April 2
JOHN SWANSON- Concord, MA NASCAR KNPSE driver/Crew Chief.
DAN PARDUS- Daytona Beach, FL NASCAR driver.
ED WATSON- Mt. Vernon, WA NASCAR West driver.
JOHN R. JANISITIS- The son of the late Waterford and Seekonk Public Relation
Director in the 70's and 80's, John Janisitis and wife Ruth.
April 3
JOE BUSCH- Norwich, CT Tri-State 4 cyl. Kart driver.
MIKE HURLBERT- Lynden, WA NASCAR West driver.
MIKE KOST- New Jersey born and raised Sprint Cup team member.
LISA RAINONE- Wife of NASCAR KNPSE driver Anthony.
TIARA BUSCH- Kart driver Joe and wife Fran's daughter.
SHANE CONNOLLY- Son of Endicott, NY NASCAR WMT driver Tim.
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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