I
write this week from Florida , RWJM Headquarters South, at the home of
ministry supporters and good friends Paul and Cindy Rosarius. We are so
thankful for sun and warmth! To close out our discussion of hope it is
necessary to remember those who make what we do possible. Think about that
for a moment. Who has God placed in your life to provide your hope?
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Racing for a living or even for a hobby isn’t possible without others.
Somebody somewhere has to provide time, talent and resources to make racing
a viable pursuit. We can want to do it. We can have the talent to do it. But
the fact remains without help it is almost impossible to be a part of
racing.
The other day I was thinking about that and wondered how much thought we
give to where our hope comes from. Many times we don’t think about all the
people that help out. We have this one fellow that sends a prayer and five
dollars every month. He is faithful to what God has called him to do and the
hope he provides us is beyond what you can imagine.
How faithful are we at giving others hope? How much time do we spend
thinking about the needs of others, looking at what we have, and making
provision for them? That is one of the basics of serving Christ, providing
for the needs of others out of the provision God provided us.
2Corinthians 8:10-15; And
here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter:
Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to
do so.
Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched
by your completion of it,
according to your means. For if the willingness is there, the gift is
acceptable according to what one has,
not according to what he does not have.
Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed,
but that there might be equality.
At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn
their plenty will supply what you need.
Then there will be equality, as it is written: "He who gathered much did not
have too much,
and he who gathered little did not have too little."
That is one of the things I enjoy about being a
part of the racing community, the generosity of racers. Racers will give you
the shirt off their back, regardless if it is the last shirt they have. I
think that is one of the reasons racers feel at home at the track. No matter
what the race day yields others have their back. That is hope!
So we begin again and look forward to another race season. I have heard
so many times during the months when the racing engines are silent, “when do
we start racing again?” I wondered why they didn’t enjoy their time away
from the track. It is because they are at home at the track; the track is
where their family is. The track presents a comfortable place, with people
they know, people that are there for the same reason; hope.
Hope is an emotion that changes the world around you. Hope changes your
perspective. Hope changes what we feel inside. When others value what we are
doing that encourages us. We experience a fulfillment that we don’t receive
anywhere else. Let’s get things started!
We are back at the track; Volusia, New Smyrna, Daytona and coming to a
track near you, race season! Let me ask you, who are you giving hope to this
year? Look around and see who needs to be lifted up. Lift them up! As Paul
wrote;
Now finish the work, so that your
eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it,
according to your means. For if the willingness is there, the gift is
acceptable according to what one has,
not according to what he does not have.
Hope cannot be given grudgingly. Hope cannot be
given with strings attached. Hope is something special, freely given and
available to all. It only requires someone to give it.
God gives us hope through Jesus Christ. It was through the provision from
God that we have the ability to receive salvation, forgiveness of our sins.
John 3:16-17;
"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.
That is hope, not death, but life, eternal life
with God in Heaven. As we look forward to the racing season, remember the
hope you receive from the racing community. Be willing to give others the
same hope.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
URGENT
INTERCESSION NEEDED - We received word that Jim Boniface is facing a
very difficult road ahead. Jim is the driver of the #88 Valenti Modified.
Jim was in Dartmouth Hitchcock Hospital and his health is very serious.
Bobby and Vinetta Somers, our VMRS Chaplains spent time with Jim and Lori
over the weekend as they fight this battle. Please pray for Jim, Lori and
the entire family.
It has been difficult for Lori to keep everyone up to date so RWJM
Chaplain Bobby Somers will be providing the updates to the VMRS Family. This
will help lessen the burden on Lori. If you need information please feel
free to contact Bobby, 978.512.0012.
THE DIRT IS FLYING AT VOLUSIA - I have spent most of my first few
days in Florida slinging clay at Volusia with the WoO Sprint Cars. Man those
cars are fast! They are turning 12.5 -13.5 second laps on this fast
half-mile. The season kicks off with three nights of 10K to win races.
PRAISE BE TO GOD - In a few short years we have been able to
expand our reach during Speedweeks and reach several tracks. This year we
have a presence at Screven, Bubba Speedway Park and East Bay . We have
talked with some local tracks about bringing onboard a chaplain for them. We
also have had a couple of guys come forward to spearhead those efforts. Keep
these efforts in your prayers.
K&N JOIN MODS AT NEW SMYRNA - Rev. Dan and Deb spent Sunday with
the K&N teams for their season opener at the famed Florida Half-mile as they
joined the World Series of Asphalt Racing for the JEGS 150. In the words of
one of the local drivers, “this was one of the most exciting race ever at
New Smyrna!” Daniel Suarez started eleventh but inched out the victory,
side-by-side over Pole winner Cameron Hayley. Next up for these teams is a
temporary track a few miles up the road at Daytona.
OFF TO DAYTONA - As you read this we will have completed Battle at
the Beach 2. Watch this column next week for commentary about the event
which was shortened to a one day show this year.
WEDDING VOW RENEWAL - During the holidays Don Grabey, Race
Director for the WoO Sprint Cars and his lovely wife Kelly renewed their
wedding vows and are looking forward to 25 more years. On a private beach in
O’aho, Hawaii with their children they remembered that special day. Kailua
United Methodist Church Pastor Tim Elington officiated. Congratulations to
both of you.
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 andJesus is Lord over Auto Racing. GOD BLESS.
Mail reaches us at Racing with Jesus Ministries, PO Box 586,
Tolland, CT 06084.
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News",
the East Coast’s largest weekly racing paper.
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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
SHARE YOUR SPECIAL OCCASIONS WITH YOUR RACING FAMILY.
SEND THEM TO:
RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES
PO Box 586
Tolland, CT, 06084
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