|
.
I remember the words of Paul Harvey “and now, the rest of the story.” What
we see, observe and understand does not reveal the entire story. Our
perception is not always accurate. We see things through our own set of
parameters and that doesn’t mean we always see the truth. How do you see
things? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
We all see the events unfold on the race track. We all are focused on
what is happening. The race officials watch intently but there are times
they don’t see everything. To reconstruct what actually happened takes input
from many sources. The use of video has become a go to source for the final
decision.
I have been an eyewitness to an accident. I participated in the
reconstruction of the series of events that led up to the event. I shared my
view, understanding and conclusions. While I was there and watched
everything unfold, my understanding was only a part on the truth. As I came
to understand my view wasn’t complete. Only when the investigators shared
their reconstruction with me did the pieces I provided fit into what really
happened. It caused me to see things a little differently.
It is not a surprise that we all don’t see things the same way. That fact
should be enough to caution us about thinking we know exactly what happened.
Without the input from several sources we cannot conclude what really
happened.
I remember a certain race team was consistently accused of being the
instigator and at fault of any incident in their vicinity. I talked with the
crew chief and he shared how it was getting old. He had worn a path to the
video booth to face the accusers with the Race Director. He shared that most
times the video proved their innocence. When approached and accused he would
just holler back, “Go check the video!”
I think it is part of our human nature to want to get to an explanation.
It is so strong in some that an incorrect conclusion is better than waiting
and getting the complete story. I have heard it said that the only exercise
some people get is jumping to conclusions, running down their friends,
side-stepping responsibility, and pushing their luck!
We should be different. We should not be the ones using incomplete and
inaccurate information to form a conclusion. I think we get impatient with
the process of review and investigation. We don’t care what the truth is, we
are going to form our own conclusion and that is how we will proceed. We
even are willing to hear people out but then discount the truth and go ahead
with our own inaccurate understanding.
That behavior can not only rob you of true understanding it can also rob
others. It tears them down and discards them. That is not how we should
treat each other. The fact is that is what happened to our Lord and Savior.
In John 15 Jesus cautioned his disciples;
John15:18, nlt, “If
the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.
The world had no understanding to base their
decision. They decided who Jesus was based on what others said. Only those
who took the time to come to know Jesus and truly understand his mission
would come to know him for who he truly was. Even His disciples had trouble
figuring it out. When asked they had many answers
Mathew 16:13-17; When
Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples,
"Who do people say the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some say John the
Baptist; others say Elijah;
and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." "But what about you?" he
asked. "Who do you say I am?"
Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus
replied,
"Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by
man, but by my Father in heaven.
“Who do you say I am?” A question we all must
answer individually. A question we will all be asked when we stand before
God. What will we say? Will we let popular opinion form our decision? Will
we let personal experience draw our conclusion? No one can answer for you,
it is personal and private. You and you alone will stand before God and
provide your answer.
My hope and prayer is that each of us would take the time, put forth the
effort to seek Jesus out, allow Him to show us, receive Him into our lives,
allow Him to forgive us and choose this day who you will follow.
One of the challenges of this endeavor is that learning process. We cast
many to the side in our quest for understanding. We do not value the people
we come into contact with the way we should. Please let me remind and
encourage you to value what God values most, the lives of His children, each
one of us is a child of God. Do not cast aside and devalue what God values
most.
The truth can be found if we are looking. Even in the darkest of days the
truth stands before us. We need only to search out the answer. Ask God and
He will reveal to us the truth. He will not hide it from us.
Mark 15:37-39, nlt; 37
Then Jesus uttered another loud cry and breathed his last.
38 And the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top
to bottom.
39 When the Roman officer who stood facing him saw how he had died, he
exclaimed, “This man truly was the Son of God!”
THOMPSON AND JENNERSTOWN - The activity
for us last week had us in the familiar setting of Thompson Speedway
Motorsports Park on Wednesday as Ryan Preece took down the win for the
Whelen Modified Tour in the Thompson 125. Being a short race strategy played
an important part and there were many different ones that played out. I
liken it to life, there are many ways to live it but only one leads to
victory!
Rev. Dan headed out to Western PA for the ROC tilt at Jennerstown. The
place was just as clean and prepared as we remembered. Dan had an
opportunity to share about our Heavenly Father and His desire to have His
children (us) home with him. Matt Hirschman brought home the victory.
LOOKING AHEAD - Riverhead is on tap today, the Dynamic Duo will be
with the Whelen Modified Tour as they visit the Island! From there the road
gets long and winding, I’ll head to Open Wheel Wednesday at Seekonk for the
Tri-Track Series, from there to Lancaster International for the ROC Thursday
night tilt and on to Berlin Raceway in Michigan for the K&N race on Saturday
night. I’ll head back and join my family in Maine for the holiday.
Rev. Dan will head south to Jersey and honor a family that has stood by
our side for more years than I can count. He will join the Tomaino Family as
they remember the life and times of Mario “Speedy” Tomaino. We thank God for
the opportunity to serve the racing community and each one of you.
We could use your help along the road, would you consider sending in a
donation earmarked for this stretch. Your support will make a tremendous
difference as we reach out. 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.
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
|
