.
It is discouraging to see how some are responding to recent events. It is
not new but I’ve seen far too much wrong reaction to keep silent. Why is it
that we want grace and understanding when we fall short, but are so
unwilling to give someone else the same courtesy? Why is that we fail to see
the value of someone’s life before we so quickly grind it in the dirt under
our feet? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
What have we become? We have moved so far away from a nurturing, caring,
compassionate, understanding society it is difficult to see why God even
bothers with us. Why are we so unwilling to value the one thing that God
holds in the highest regard, life, our life.
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.
Unfortunately we have followed the rest of society
down the path of condemnation without consideration. If God refused to
condemn us and even made a way for us to be restored why is that we so
easily condemn and discard the lives of those around us? There is
forgiveness in God’s Word!
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 their shortcomings? Forgiveness is something we want to
receive but many times are not as willing to give.
Let me set the record straight, we all have shortcomings. 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 condemns
before we forgive? We disrespect God and the value he placed on our lives
when we refuse to forgive. Zero tolerance is not the right way to deal with
mistakes.
I can remember several occasions that mistakes have been made, by me and
others, on and off the track. Sometimes mistakes take on a life of their
own. At times we decide that some mistakes are greater in value than others.
We even give certain people a pass while others get crucified. Let me set
the record straight, we all fall short of perfection, we all fall short of
God’s standard.
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 when we 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
shortcomings to be forgiven; I will send My Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the
penalty for you.
Now if God is ready to forgive and restore us to a right relationship
with Him who are we to withhold that from others? Who are we to judge and
condemn those around us who fall short?
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. 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. We tend to
be unforgiving people when it comes to others, but we want to be forgiven
when it comes to us.
We would be remiss if we didn’t discuss the consequences for our actions.
There are consequences to every decision we make. Those consequences not
only affect us but they affect everyone around us. The consequences of our
decisions don’t go away when we are forgiven, they remain. But let me be
clear, condemnation from others is not a consequence of poor decisions; that
is not the way God sees it.
John 8:2-11; 2
At dawn he (Jesus) appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people
gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3 The teachers of the
law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her
stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught
in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women.
Now what do you say?” 6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to
have a basis for accusing him.
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7
When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let
any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8
Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones
first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10
Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one
condemned you?”
11 “No one, sir,” she said.
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life
of sin.”
Living in peace is a difficult task. Have you ever
thought about what it takes to be 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.
God provided this opportunity for forgiveness and
we 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, and our sin is
forgiven, remembered no more.
We cannot receive 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 you there is no reason we could have for not
forgiving others. We need to value what God’s values, the lives of each one
of us.
Make that commitment this week, that we will value what God values.
Commit that we will go to people you have refused to forgive and forgive
them. We will rise above the crowd of condemnation and restore the value
that God places on each one of our lives. Let those directly affected by
wrong decisions work through the consequences. Ours is not to decide how
someone else should be punished.
Luke 6:31; Do to
others as you would like them to do to you.
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. Value what God values,
offer that gift to someone today.
Here is some direction from God’s Word;
Romans 12:9-18; 9
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong.
Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and
take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and
serve the Lord enthusiastically. 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be
patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need,
be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless
them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16
Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of
ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!
17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone
can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with
everyone.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
NEW LONDON-WATERFORD SPEEDBOWL OPENS
- What looked like the impossible dream has become a reality. The NLW
Speedbowl has risen from the ashes of foreclosure and returned to the run
another day. Last Saturday night the ribbon was cut and the green flag waved
beginning a new era at the famed 3/8 mile on the Connecticut coast.
As I sat in the stands waiting for opening ceremonies there was a buzz in
the air. In addition to the usual opening night buzz this one was more of
hope, relief, thanksgiving and excitement combined. For the faithful this
was a day they thought they would never see again. Their beloved Speedbowl
was open for business.
Looking around you could see things had begun to change. Getting
everything in place for opening night was not possible, but enough had been
done to know that the track is moving in a different direction, forward. New
paint was not just put on over what was there, you could see the efforts and
new construction.
The things that couldn’t be accomplished are in the works. I’m told the
town is doing their best to fast-track permits to get some of the major work
done now that the weather will allow it. The feeling is one of hope, looking
toward the future and putting things in place for the future.
We are glad to be a part of it and look forward to having a more
significant role there. Rev. Ray closed the driver meeting in prayer and
brought the invocation on opening night. A new start and a new commitment
from us to be there for the drivers that call New London-Waterford Speedbowl
home.
MADDOG OPENS THE VMRS SEASON - Different track, different series,
different car, but the same one-two punch. Todd Szegedy got the best of
Woody Pitkat this time. Last week Pitkat won out at the Spring Sizzler, this
week Szegedy came home in the number one position and Pitkat followed him
across the stripe.
I know both of these drivers very well and have been alongside for some
of the more difficult days in a driver’s career. The days when you look
ahead and don’t see where you fit in. I am excited for both of them as they
see the provision of God as he provides an opportunity for them to pursue
their passion.
Warren Alston began his new role as race director and reports were that
he did an excellent job in his first outing. My hope is his influence will
stabilize the series and allow it to regain its standing among the racing
community.
A FEW FOLKS TO REMEMBER - I had the pleasure of leading a
Celebration of Life for Linda Austin last Monday in Maine. It was good to be
a part of such a special night with some of the old Busch North Gang. This
week there are a few more goodbyes to say.
On Friday night, May 8, we will remember Bob LeSieur at the VFW in
Easton, Ma. Bob is the son of Val LeSieur, former Speedway Scene publisher.
Most don’t know the connection Val has with RWJM. Val was an integral part
of getting RWJM established as he stood by his good friend Rev. Pat Evans.
On Saturday, May 9, I will join the Bouley family, George, Kimmy and
Scott as they say goodbye to their wife and mom, Beverly. George competed at
the Danbury Race Arena and still drives haulers for some Modified teams.
Scott drove on the Busch North Series and also at Stafford. Kimmy is always
by their side supporting whatever they do. We will be at the Hillside
Cemetery in Thomaston, CT at 11:00. A reception will follow at the Thomaston
Firehouse.
Another ministry supporter went home to the Lord this week, Frank Streb.
Frank was a fixture in the pits at Stafford supporting the Butler Late-model
and the Saunders twins. He also supported our efforts. It was a pleasure to
speak at his church in Stafford and always enjoyed sharing racing stories.
He will be missed.
As we look forward to this weekend, keep an eye on our Facebook page, see
where we are traveling and support us in prayer.
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
http://www.rwjm.com 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
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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