.
Have you ever stopped and turned around to take a look back? What do you
see? When we reflect on the life we lived we see the milestones that mark
out our walk. We see the places of our greatest successes and sometimes our
biggest disappointments marked out for us. What are the milestones in your
life? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Last week we lost an icon in Modified Racing, Mario Fiore. He will be
remembered for the milestones he set with his achievements as a Modified Car
Owner. He was one of the winningest car owners in Modified history. His
passion and love for the sport is well documented. The Modified community
will miss his presence. RIP my friend.
This week our nation celebrates a milestone, Independence Day. In 1776 we
wrote a letter to the King of England and explained we no longer need to be
under his authority. It cost us many lives and much bloodshed but we won our
independence and became a free nation under God.
In our lives we experience a wide variety of things. We go through highs
and lows. We have joy and pain. As the writer of Ecclesiastes reminds us
there is a time for everything under the heaven;
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8,
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under
heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to
uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to
build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to
dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace
and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to
keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to me, a time to be
silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for
war and a time for peace.
It’s no different in racing; just the time
frame may be a little shorter. We build, tear down, rebuild sometimes within
hours not days or weeks. Remember those times? The story starts; “Remember
that race where we ….” or “How about the time we ….” or “Wasn’t it great
when we ….” And the story goes about how we made it through the trials and
challenges of racing.
Racers are a unique breed; they can see victory even in situations to an
outside observer look like a failure. I think that’s what makes a racer a
racer, they have the ability to see past even the worst adversity and find a
silver lining. Competing is the goal; just let me go out there and race. As
one so aptly named go cart track put it, settle it on the track. I think the
only disappointment a racer experiences is when they come to the track and
don’t get to race. Practice is nice, Qualifying is okay, but get out of the
way I came to race!
Racers see the positives in life more than the negatives. Even through
the challenging times racers know there will always be another day to race.
It is what we do. We show up at each track with the expectation of winning.
We are realistic about our chances, but the goal still remains Victory Lane.
Who knows what the day will bring? Racers are prepared for just about
anything and what they don’t have with them someone else will let them
borrow. That is the racing community I know.
In life we face the same challenges, the same ups and downs, and the same
disappointments. As we look back our accomplishments they sit as milestones
along the path of our life. We can list the common ones, birth, graduation,
job, marriage, children, home, retirement, etc.
For racers we might add first car, first race, first checkered flag, and
first sponsor. Do you notice the difference? Racers mark their milestones by
the first time they do something while most everyone else marks their
milestones by when they complete something. I guess it just means that
racers expect to do it again. They have an expectation that tomorrow will be
better than yesterday. Last is a four letter word in a racers vocabulary and
it is not used to remember things.
The events of our life that mean the most to us are life changing events.
They change the course of our lives. Christ came and changed the course of
history, he split time. He came with one desire in His heart, to provide the
opportunity for Salvation to everyone; to change our lives for the best. He
said it in Johns Gospel this way;
John 10:10;
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that
they may have life, and have it to the full.
To accomplish this it meant Christ would have
to give His life as a sacrifice for us. His entire purpose was to sacrifice
himself for us. He marked that milestone with three simple words, “It is
finished” in the 19th chapter of John’s gospel. There are many important
events in the life of Christ that are recorded in Scripture but the most
important one is this, he accomplished on the cross what we could not do for
ourselves. He paid the price for our sin. We are forgiven because of this
sacrifice. We have a restored relationship with God because of this
sacrifice. We can live an abundant life because of this sacrifice.
As you reflect on the milestones of your life is there one there that
marks the day you accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior? Is there one that
marks the day you followed Christ in Baptism? There should be. That
milestone is where your life changed. You began anew, you were born again!
If that milestone isn’t there allow me to help you mark it. We invite you to
truly mean and pray this simple prayer:
"Dear God, help me. I have tried and have fallen short of the life
you want for me. I am a sinner. Nothing I can do can save me from my sin, I
need Jesus. I ask Him into my life. This day, this moment, I receive Jesus
as my personal Savior. I submit to Him as my Lord and King. I turn from my
sins and turn toward You. I receive your forgiveness and will strive to live
for your glory. I receive your Holy Spirit to dwell richly within me. I ask
for this in Jesus’ Name. Thank you Father for saving me. Amen."
If you prayed that prayer there is a new milestone in your life. One that
marks the day you were saved from the penalty of sin and welcomed into the
Kingdom of Heaven. Congratulations, share your decision with us. God Bless,
Amen!
BUSY HOLIDAY FOR THE RACING COMMUNITY - This week we have wall to
wall racing. After we say goodbye to our friend, Modified Owner Mario Fiore
on Tuesday we head to Seekonk on Wednesday for the Boston Louie and
Tri-Track Series. Thursday finds us headed to Lancaster for the ROC tilt and
Friday we are back at Stafford. Saturday has Rev. Dan in Columbus Ohio for
the K&N boys and I’ll be at New London/Waterford Speedbowl for vacationing
Rev. Ray. After a wedding for Modified tire guy Mike German’s daughter on
Sunday I head out to join my family in Maine and a little R&R. I am hoping
to see many of you along the road. Until next time, remember God loves you
and Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing! God Bless. Remember, that your prayerful
support helps us continue this ministry. Thank 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
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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