.
Many times looks can be deceiving. Sometimes it is intentional, we don’t
want to spill the beans and let everyone know what we have. But our
commitment to Christ and service to him has to more than skin deep. When the
race is run will our true character reveal we belong to Christ? Greetings in
the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
To say there is some gamesmanship at the racetrack is an understatement.
No one goes out for practice and runs full tilt; they always keep something
in reserve for when it matters. I remember a recent practice session where a
driver turned a quick lap. After talking with one of the team members I
learned that there was more where that came from.
“Wait until we tweak it and put stickers on, we’ll post a number they all
can shoot at.”
They did; fast lap of the day in the last practice session with no time
for the others to do much but scratch their heads and wonder, what’s in
there?
Life and racing can be a pressure cooker, the heat is turned up and our
true character is revealed. Some of us wilt under pressure, some of us
harden, but there are some that rise to the occasion and change the
environment around them. As Christians we should be in the latter category.
We should be in the hope business. Our perspective and attitude, our actions
should change the situation for the better.
Do people wonder that about us? Do they have questions about what we have
in our heart? Sometimes we hide things we don’t want other to see. We hide
our true selves. We act differently depending on the situation and location.
On certain days of the week we are fine upstanding members of the church
community; on others you would never know we graced the doors of a church.
We leave other’s wondering what’s in there.
James 3:9-11; With the tongue we praise our
Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's
likeness.
Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not
be.
Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?
My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs?
Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
It is important that we, as followers of
Christ, are genuine, what you see is what you get. Some call it transparent,
our motives should be clear to all. As James writes, we should not praise
God in one moment and curse man in the next. Our character should be the
same as God’s.
Lack of consistency is a problem we all face; when we change our behavior
depending on the situation we cause people to wonder who we really are. I
remember an old saying, if being a Christian was a crime, would our life
show enough evidence to be convicted? I hope so.
Think about the people you know; how many of them are genuine? We can put
the people we know into two groups, those we can trust and those we can’t.
Let’s face it, there are some people we know that when they tell us
something we wonder if it is true or not.
There are people we can count on; when they give us their word and make a
commitment we can plan on them doing everything in their power to fulfill
it. These are the people that we can depend on. These are the people we
spend our time with.
As Christians we should lead people to God. We should live a life that
honors God. We should follow God’s lead wherever it brings us, putting our
trust and faith in Him. People should not wonder what our true character is.
When others see us as two faced, one time we do this another time we do
that, we create doubt. When they doubt us, they doubt God; they decide they
don’t need Him. We do a great disservice to our Lord when we confuse people
with our words and actions.
We need to think about the example we set. The character our actions
reveal. Is it consistent with what we claim to be? Are the things we say and
do honoring to God? Not just in certain places at certain times, but
everywhere, all the time.
Let us make a commitment to one another to work on being a more genuine
reflection of the character of Christ, every moment of everyday, let others
see Jesus in us.
THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD
GETTING THINGS ROLLING - This week we roll off the Whelen Modified
Tour with the Icebreaker at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park. I am looking
forward to getting back and catching up. It will good to see the returning
teams and welcoming the new ones. It will be good to be at the track.
Be sure to stop by the RWJM Hospitality RV provided courtesy of Steve and
Trudy Craig. I spoke with them this week and they have plans to roll out the
red carpet for the new race season.
As the season begins in the Northeast remember we have people fanning out
across the landscape meeting with the racing community. We are in need of
you support and prayers. We know there will be obstacles to overcome. We can
only do it with your help. Please commit to come alongside and lend your
prayer support.
ADOPT A CHAPLAIN - Let me suggest something, adopt a chaplain. Is
the Lord leading you to come alongside one of our chaplains? Is the Lord
leading you to take a supporting role in our efforts? I want to encourage
you to do it. Think about how much encouragement you can be, your prayers,
conversations and attention to their needs will be tremendous.
Adopt a chaplain today! If you want to join this effort, drop me a note
and we will share with you the opportunities that we have. I have watched
people come alongside our efforts and the results are encouraging, blessings
for both and changed lives.
ON A PERSONAL NOTE - A few weeks back we revisited the
inspirational story of a young driver, Shane Hammond. I received this note
from his mom and wanted to share part of it with you.
Hi Don,
I never had a chance to read the column online. Instead I read it in AARN
at my dad’s and he handed me the tissues as he had read it before me.
Thank you for such a touching tribute.
It's hard to believe 8 years has passed in just a few days. The journey
continues and I now share with more people who can't fathom how I can move
forward, that it is the strength of GOD. Jesus came to me that very day in
the hospital as the Dr.’s told me he was gone and at that very moment
(Jesus) touched me and said I have him!
Some look at me as I am a crazy person but I know Shane served his time
here and it's my journey to spread the word as he has given me the strength
to walk forward. Thank you for reminding people to never forget the angel
that walked this earth!
Believe, Deb, Shane’s mom.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN - Getting things rolling is an understatement,
in addition to being at Thompson we have an RoC Modified Race at Mahoning
Valley on Saturday. From there we head to Bristol for the K&N Pro Series
East. After Bristol we head back for Stafford and Lancaster National. Race
season is here! Please take the time, get off the couch and go out to the
local track. I have talked with many who can’t understand what the appeal of
racing is. I ask; “have you ever seen it live?” No, is the answer I get more
often than not. When they finally do most are hooked, the sounds, the smell
the excitement. I encourage you to get folks out there, take them with 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
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
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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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