Have
you ever wondered why the world we live in is falling apart? The correct
term is self destructing. That’s right, the more selfish we get the more we
destroy the world around us. Sometimes it is important to stand up and be
counted, make a statement for what is right, true and honorable. Greetings
in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
As we traveled to the K&N race at Bristol we were reliving some of the
past stories and the one about Morgan Shepherd’s experience in a Wal-Mart
parking lot in Vegas came to mind.
Morgan Shepherd was headed to Wal-Mart with his wife to pick up a few
things. As they approached the store three men were leaving at a high rate
of speed with security on their tail.
This wasn’t their lucky day. Most men Morgan’s age would be on the other
side of the door greeting you as you walked into Wal-Mart, not Morgan. He is
physically fit, a daily jogger and an accomplished roller skater. He is also
an unashamed Christian and has spent many years proclaiming the saving faith
we have in Jesus Christ. His commitment to Christ and his desire to see the
truth told inspired him to spring into action.
"I just got out and took off after them," Shepherd said. "I caught one of
them just as they were getting ready to hop a little wall at the end of the
parking lot. I yanked him down and got on top of him."
As he restrained one of the three, a Las Vegas Police officer tossed him
some handcuffs, asked Morgan to cuff him and keep him there while they
chased down the other two. No problem, he wasn’t going anywhere.
"I didn't tell him a 69-year-old man chased him down," Shepherd joked.
"He was probably 18 or 19. I told him he shouldn't be stealing stuff. There
is just too much of this stuff going on."
Morgan didn’t have the heart to tell him he had just been caught,
restrained and cuffed by a 69 year old. Instead he tried to help the young
man. He encouraged him to change the direction his life was going. I am
sure, if I know Morgan, there was also a witness to the saving grace of
Jesus.
We all have teachable moments in our lives and it is important to
recognize them when they happen. My prayer would be that this young fellow
would turn from his criminal activity and let Christ change his life.
"So many people these days would just sit and watch those guys run away,"
Shepherd said. "People need to get up and help stop this type of stuff."
This should be an encouragement to all of us not to sit on the sideline,
but get into the game.
I read another story on Facebook about a driver the other day, Todd
Szegedy. If you are familiar with the former Whelen Modified Tour Champion
you know that this past year was a difficult one. His life was turned
completely around and he had reason to wonder why he was going through so
many trials. He had reason to give up, but he didn’t.
Todd delivers oil for Montanari Fuel and this winter would have been
enough to question your commitment to such a job. Thanks to customer Claudia
Morgan for supplying the inspiration to continue. She wrote a letter to the
company expressing the how much Todd did to make their day much different.
The day wasn’t going so well, the driveway was covered in ice, her
husband was away, the nanny’s car was stuck and she was 8 months pregnant.
Then Todd showed up with a delivery as she was trying to get ready to go out
and put sand on the driveway. Todd offered to help but she refused.
After his delivery, he left to complete his day. Only to return a short
time later determined not to let a pregnant woman go out on an icy driveway
to spread sand. He took the task head on, sanded the driveway and got the
nanny’s car unstuck. Then he thanked them for the opportunity to help and
went about his day.
We know all this because the Morgan's took the time to write a letter to
Todd’s company expressing their gratitude for the AWESOME employees they
have.
There are many opportunities for us to set an example for others, good
examples worth following. Too often we only hear of the bad examples, when
things go bad. That should not be, we should make a point of setting a good
example in everything we do instead of sitting back and watching the world
go down the tube.
What would have happened to us if Christ decided to sit on the sideline?
What if he decided we weren’t worth the effort and he remained in heaven? We
read in Scripture that even on that last night he had a desire that this cup
would pass from him.
If that was the case we would have no hope. We would be lost in our sin
and be faced with standing before God without a Savior. Jesus came, gave his
life and offered it to God as a sacrifice for our sins. He only asked us to
accept the gift.
As Jesus and his disciples sat and ate their last meal together Jesus
shared with them what was going to take place. They were distraught and
confused, how could this be. Some pledged their very life to keep it from
being a reality. When the time came they didn’t have the strength and
courage to stand up for Christ.
We need to be more than observers in our Christian walk. We need to get
up off the sidelines and make the effort necessary to show others how much
Christ loves them. We need to stop thinking it is someone else’s job.
I am sure Morgan and Todd could have come up with a more than enough
reasons why they didn’t need to help. But I think there was one reason they
had to, they cared about others more than themselves.
Why do you suppose Christ endured so much to show His love for us? He
came to set an example, to show us how to live the right life. He taught us
what was valuable to God. He helped us get beyond our physical limitations.
He loved us so much that he gave his life for us. He showed us the way.
John14:6; Jesus
answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the
Father except through me.
How are we doing in the example we set for others?
Are we willing to jump into action and change the world we live in? Are we
willing to sacrifice our very life so that someone might know the love of
God? Think about that this week as we begin our preparation for the coming
Easter season.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
ITS
BRISTOL BABY - The K&N race wasn’t settled until the final Green, White
Checker. With extra distance added Eddie MacDonald pulled away from the
field to notch the victory that sent the Rob Grimm Racing team into
euphoria! They worked so hard to get back to the top of the ladder. To do it
at arguably the most famous short track in the world is icing on the cake!
It was additionally satisfying when other competitors and crews made the
trip to Victory Lane to express their congratulations.
There are not many secrets in racing and the teams understand how
difficult it is to compete with the big and seemingly unlimited budgets.
When a team rises above those odds and wins the on determination and sweat
equity of the members that is something we all can celebrate. The racing
world was the real winner on Saturday. I didn’t think Logger, Eddie’s
Spotter, could get down from the roof that fast!
QUICK TURN AROUND FOR GREENVILLE/PICKENS - This week the K&N teams
head to another classic NASCAR track steeped in history, Greenville/Pickens
Speedway. Dan and Ray will be making the trip south to be with them.
TIME TO GET DIRTY - I will be heading down to the ROC Dirt
Modified Tour Modified Cabin Fever 60 & Sportsman 40, at New Egypt Speedway
on Saturday night. I visited New Egypt once last season and am looking
forward to going back. Hope to see you on the road.
OUR CONDOLENCES - Our sympathy and condolences go out the Moon
Family. Cliff Moon III’s father, Clifford Moon Jr. passed away this past
week with his family by his side. Cliff is a long time race photographer and
is know to many in the racing community. Please take time to let him know he
and his family are in our thoughts and prayers.
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.
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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
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